WannaCry
WannaCry was one of the most destructive ransomware attacks ever recorded in history, which affected millions of computers worldwide. It first emerged in May 2017 and spread like wildfire across networks through a vulnerability in Microsoft's Windows operating system. The attack infected over 200,000 devices globally within just three days.
The WannaCry ransomware encrypted users' files and demanded payment in bitcoin to decrypt them – causing widespread chaos for businesses, hospitals, governments and individuals who refused to pay up. The cost of the damage it caused is estimated at around $4 billion.
Experts believe that WannaCry was developed by North Korean hackers as part of their state-sponsored cyber espionage activities. While many organizations have since implemented security measures to prevent similar attacks from happening again, WannaCry remains a stark reminder of how vulnerable our systems can be without proper protection against such threats.
NotPetya
NotPetya was a major ransomware attack that occurred in June 2018. This cyber attack targeted Ukrainian businesses and governmental organizations, but quickly spread to other countries around the world. The malware used in this attack was initially thought to be Petya, but it soon became clear that it was a new variant of malware called NotPetya.
The main method of infection for NotPetya was through phishing emails containing malicious attachments. Once opened, the malware would spread rapidly throughout the network and encrypt files on affected machines. The attackers demanded a ransom payment to unlock the files, but even those who paid were unlikely to regain access.
One notable aspect of the NotPetya attack is its intended destruction rather than financial gain. It caused significant disruption across numerous sectors such as shipping and logistics companies worldwide and has been estimated to have caused billions of dollars worth of damage.
Despite initial speculation about who may have been behind this attack, no one has yet claimed responsibility for it officially. However, many believe that state actors were involved due to its sophisticated nature and specific targets.
The NotPetya cyberattack serves as an important reminder of how devastating these types of attacks can be - not only financially but also in terms of operational disruption and reputational damage.
Bad Rabbit
In late October 2018, a new ransomware attack called Bad Rabbit hit several countries in Eastern Europe and Russia. The malware was distributed through malicious websites disguised as Adobe Flash updates, and once downloaded, it encrypted files on the victim's computer and demanded payment for decryption.
What made Bad Rabbit particularly dangerous was its ability to spread quickly across networks using a vulnerability in Windows' SMB protocol. This meant that even organizations with strong security measures in place were at risk of infection.
The attackers behind Bad Rabbit have yet to be identified, but experts speculate that they may be connected to the same group responsible for the NotPetya attack earlier in the year. The incident serves as a reminder of how important it is for individuals and businesses alike to stay vigilant against cyber threats and keep their software up-to-date with security patches.
Meltdown and Spectre
The Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities were disclosed in January 2018. They affected processors made by Intel, AMD, and ARM, impacting almost all modern computers and mobile devices. These vulnerabilities allowed attackers to steal sensitive information from a computer's memory, including passwords and personal data.
Meltdown was the more severe of the two vulnerabilities as it allowed an attacker to access kernel memory on the affected system. Spectre, on the other hand, exploited speculative execution within CPUs leading to unauthorized access of sensitive data.
These cyber security breaches had far-reaching implications for businesses and individuals alike. The patches released to mitigate these vulnerabilities caused many systems to slow down significantly.
In conclusion, 2018 saw some of the worst cyber security breaches ever recorded with WannaCry, NotPetya, Bad Rabbit and Meltdown & Spectre causing widespread damage across various industries worldwide. It is a reminder that cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving and we must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect ourselves online.
