From AIDs Trojan to Billion-Dollar Business: The Evolution of Ransomware

In the digital world, it's not just the good guys who evolve. Ransomware, a form of malware that locks your files and demands payment, has come a long way since its 1989 debut. Let’s dive into its history and future. It all started with a floppy disk scare. The “AIDs Trojan” was the first-known ransomware, tricking victims into thinking they might have AIDs. If installed, it hid files and demanded cash – a chilling start to this billion-dollar industry. Since then, ransomware has become more sophisticated, trading CD-ROMs for emails. By 2004, Russian citizens faced the “GPCode, ” a program delivered via email, encrypting files and demanding wire transfers. In 2013, CryptoLocker emerged, requesting cryptocurrency – a turning point that made ransomware jackpots harder to track. Looking ahead, experts warn that ransomware will keep evolving, targeting cloud systems and possibly becoming a geopolitical weapon. AI tools, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, could make these attacks easier to launch. However, simpler methods often prove the most effective. So, what’s the future? By 2031, ransomware could cost victims $265 billion yearly. As cloud systems and AI advance, so will the threats. But fear not, cybersecurity experts are armed with the same tools, ready to fight back.