Bond, C. S. Ransomware: Economic Impact Analysis, 2021.
This capstone project intended to identify the anatomy of ransomware attacks and explain how to prevent them. Ransomware is an ongoing threat that is proven to be detrimental to all industries. The main issue is the lack of preparedness. Preventing a ransomware attack requires the understanding of how malware works. A cohesive collection of resources provides the reader a detailed background of ransomware and preventive methods against this cyber threat. The questions this project addressed include: How is social engineering used to deploy malware? What is the economic impact of successful malware/ransomware attacks? What security measures can be implemented to help mitigate these attacks? This research focuses on identifying the anatomy of ransomware attacks and the different attack vectors used to deploy them. Attempted ransomware attacks and the approach the U.S. government, along with organizations, is adopting to prevent and mitigate this risk are also examined and suggestions made for further research. The implementation of the proposed preventive measures for network administrators to make organizations and enterprises resilient, more aware, and prepared for ransom threats is recommended.
