A Survey on Ransomware: Evolution, Taxonomy, and Defense Solutions (2102.06249v2)

Abstract: In recent years, ransomware has been one of the most notorious malware targeting end users, governments, and business organizations. It has become a very profitable business for cybercriminals with revenues of millions of dollars, and a very serious threat to organizations with financial loss of billions of dollars. Numerous studies were proposed to address the ransomware threat, including surveys that cover certain aspects of ransomware research. However, no study exists in the literature that gives the complete picture on ransomware and ransomware defense research with respect to the diversity of targeted platforms. Since ransomware is already prevalent in PCs/workstations/desktops/laptops, is becoming more prevalent in mobile devices, and has already hit IoT/CPS recently, and will likely grow further in the IoT/CPS domain very soon, understanding ransomware and analyzing defense mechanisms with respect to target platforms is becoming more imperative. In order to fill this gap and motivate further research, in this paper, we present a comprehensive survey on ransomware and ransomware defense research with respect to PCs/workstations, mobile devices, and IoT/CPS platforms. Specifically, covering 137 studies over the period of 1990-2020, we give a detailed overview of ransomware evolution, comprehensively analyze the key building blocks of ransomware, present a taxonomy of notable ransomware families, and provide an extensive overview of ransomware defense research (i.e., analysis, detection, and recovery) with respect to platforms of PCs/workstations, mobile devices, and IoT/CPS. Moreover, we derive an extensive list of open issues for future ransomware research. We believe this survey will motivate further research by giving a complete picture on state-of-the-art ransomware research.

Analysis of a Comprehensive Survey on Ransomware and Defense Mechanisms

Ransomware represents a persistent threat within the cybersecurity landscape. The paper “A Survey on Ransomware: Evolution, Taxonomy, and Defense Solutions” offers a detailed and comprehensive analysis of ransomware’s progression and the corresponding defense strategies across different technological platforms. This paper spans three decades, from 1989 to 2020, covering 137 unique studies and providing a meticulous overview of ransomware’s development and the defenses employed to counteract this threat.

The paper outlines several key contributions:

• A thorough exploration of ransomware's evolution, beginning with the AIDS Trojan in 1989, through cryptographic ransomware like GPCode, to modern strains such as WannaCry and Ryuk.
• An innovative taxonomy categorizing ransomware based on target platforms, infection vectors, C&C communication mechanisms, and malicious actions.
• An extensive examination of defense strategies, including analysis, detection, and recovery solutions tailored to specific platforms like PCs, mobile devices, and IoT/CPS environments.
• A strategic provision of open research questions and areas for future paper to bolster ransomware defense.

Numerical Results and Bold Claims

The paper articulates the significant financial impact of ransomware attacks, projecting losses around $20 billion in 2021, with a predicted attack frequency of every 11 seconds. These numerical results underline ransomware's profound influence on global industries, governments, and individual entities, illustrating the need for comprehensive defense systems.

Moreover, the survey identifies emerging ransomware trends, such as Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) and the increasing prevalence of ransomware attacks targeting IoT/CPS platforms. The paper asserts the transformative nature of these trends, indicating an ever-expanding threat surface that demands proactive and adaptable defensive measures.

Practical and Theoretical Implications

From a practical standpoint, this paper engages with the critical characteristics of ransomware that drive defense strategies—namely detection and recovery mechanisms. The paper provides insights into the efficacy of various detection methods, including rule-based systems and machine learning models leveraging structural and behavioral features. Recovery strategies, ranging from key recovery to using cloud-based backups, are also addressed.

Theoretically, the paper stimulates discourse on the adaptability and evolution of ransomware. It invites further research on the orchestration of novel defense techniques, particularly the application of machine learning models to enhance detection efficacy against increasingly sophisticated ransomware types.

Speculation on Future Developments

The trajectory of ransomware indicates an evolving landscape where attacks are becoming more targeted and sophisticated. The paper forecasts increased attacks on IoT and CPS systems, capitalizing on their vulnerabilities. Additionally, the integration of AI into detection frameworks holds promise for improving responsiveness and robustness against such threats.

Your expert understanding of this survey will provide a foundation for future work, elucidating new defense methodologies or enhancing existing ones to safeguard against ransomware attacks. The extensive overview provided in this paper is an invaluable resource for experienced researchers aiming to advance the state-of-the-art in ransomware defense mechanisms.