It encrypts data in such a way that normal person can no longer decrypt. In May of 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack infected more than 200,000 computers across 150 countries by sending phishing emails to vulnerable, older-version Microsoft system networks. The Data Protection Act (DPA, 2018), for example, incorporated the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, 2018) into U.K. common law. While this attack amounted to little damage, all Internet of Things (IoT) devices (such as smart TVs, fitness trackers, etc.) Another observable effect of the attack was the increased purchasing of cyber-security insurances, a booming industry that is projected to incorporate $5 billion in premiums by 2020. The window to spread ransomware was given to WannaCry through an unpatched flaw in older Microsoft Windows versions. In the IT industry, ransomware and healthcare are two words often seen side by side. This information was seized upon and manipulated by the WannaCry creators. 3rd Party Cookie de-Personalization - We configure 3rd party analytics cookies to anonymize IP address and 3rd party targeting cookies to only set non-personalized information in these cookies to respect your privacy. In 2017, an attack known as the WannaCry ransomware became the worst cyber-attacks in the world so far, hitting millions of computers globally and disrupting many services. It’s impossible to properly investigate, arrest, and prosecute those who commit cyber-crimes due to the world’s governance systems. In the United States, malware distribution is illegal under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (1984). Infected systems in over 150 countries resulted in a measly $100,000 payout for the attackers — however, the losses in productivity and erased files are predicted to have reached into the billions. View our Privacy Policy for more information. Necessary and Functional Cookies - These cookies are necessary for the Site to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. The group attributed to both attacks was the Lazarus Group, a hacking group that has used North-Korea linked web addresses. Despite the plethora of cyber-crime legislation, it’s not enough to counter the rise in global cyber-attacks. wannacry ransomware attack case study *ۋ 9ϕz Zc? The WannaCry ransomware attack was a May 2017 worldwide cyberattack by the WannaCry ransomware cryptoworm, which targeted computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system by encrypting data and demanding ransom payments in the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. In the UK, the attack particularly affected the NHS, although it was not the specific target. On May 7, 2019, Baltimore was hit with a ransomware attack. Once a computer was infected with WannaCry, the ransomware could only be removed with a $300 ransom paid in Bitcoin. Relatedly, unknown persons attributed to the Lazarus Group were found to be attempting to launder a large amount of Bitcoin through a Swiss cryptocurrency exchange service called ShapeShift in October 2018. The dropper could extract and execute the encrypter file, which contained a program that hid and encrypted the victim’s files, as well as a set of ransom notes in various, shoddily-translated languages. Case Study WannaCry Ransomware attack Case Study by Aina Due to bad coding, there was no way to trace the payment to the computer it was made from. It is an example of the security incidents happened recently [6]. Once the connection failed, the malware would send two more packets — the encrypter and the decrypter. Businesses lost hundreds of records, and hospitals reported surgery cancellations due to erased patient files. The WannaCry ransomware attack was a May 2017 worldwide cyber attack by the WannaCry ransomware cryptoworm which targeted systems running the Microsoft Windows OS by encrypting data and demanding payment in Bitcoin. © Copyright ‘2020’ by Dr Ana-Maria Pascal - Website designed by Luca Morelli, http://www.aaronkellylaw.com/cybercrime-laws-united-states/, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39907965, https://www.ft.com/content/3541a100-1eaa-11e6-b286-cddde55ca122, http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,cookie,athens&db=bth&AN=124463269&site=eds-live, http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,cookie,athens&db=bth&AN=123064563&site=eds-live, http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,cookie,athens&db=bth&AN=123064564&site=eds-live, https://www.csoonline.com/article/3147398/data-protection/why-its-so-hard-to-prosecute-cyber-criminals.html, http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,cookie,athens&db=bth&AN=123208792&site=eds-live, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/9/section/41?view=plain, https://www.ft.com/content/5ba47f70-2426-11e7-a34a-538b4cb30025?FTCamp=engage/CAPI/website/Channel_EBSCO//B2B, http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,cookie,athens&db=edb&AN=123970878&site=eds-live, https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23431263-500-ransomware-attack-hits-200000-computers-across-the-globe/, http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,cookie,athens&db=bth&AN=131712998&site=eds-live, https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/may/13/jeremy-hunt-ignored-warning-signs-before-cyber-attack-hit-nhs, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cyber-northkorea/u-s-blames-north-korea-for-wannacry-cyber-attack-idUSKBN1ED00Q, Business Ethics and Human Rights, from Theory to Practice, A feast of a debate on business and human rights. About WannaCry Ransomware. … The authors perform an analysis of WannaCry ransomware from the delivery, infection, mitigation and detection perspectives. Once the files were encrypted, the malware would display the note and two timers, demanding victims send $300 in bitcoins to an untraceable bitcoin address. I’d performed some programming work for this company on a standalone PC at their central office. Healthcare companies are the main target for severe ransomware attacks. From there, the initial infected device spread the ransomware to others in the network. WannCry, however, was a worm, and thus could use infected computers as a delivery system for other devices. View our Privacy Policy for more information. You can manage your preferences at any time. Generally, ransomware attacks are isolated, only infecting devices that come into contact with the malware delivery system such as infected sites or links. Thus, radical and constructive change is needed. The WannaCry case was devastating but is simply a taste of what is to come if worldwide action against cyber-crime is not undertaken. Download Now. The malware that made businesses everywhere WannaCry is an important case study for everyone. Major government services such as the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) as well as global firms such as FedEx were severely affected. One day after the attack, Windows released a series of patches that repaired the SMB vulnerability; however, this did not help the devices already infected with the malware. 4 What this investigation is about Investigation: WannaCry cyber attack and the NHS What this investigation is about 1 On Friday 12 May 2017 a global ransomware attack, known as WannaCry, affected more than 200,000 computers in at least 100 countries. In regard to jurisdiction, perhaps the most pressing factor in low cyber-crime prosecution rates, crimes committed abroad against a foreign victim means that even if that victim goes to their local magistrate to file a complaint about being hacked, the local or national governments are unable to pursue anything outside of their jurisdictions. The reason? Ransomware, a class of self-propagating malware that uses encryption to hold the victims’ data ransom, has emerged in recent years as one of the most dangerous cyber threats, with widespread damage; e.g., zero-day ransomware WannaCry has caused world-wide catastrophe, from knocking U.K. National Health Service hospitals offline to shutting down a Honda Motor Company in Japan [1]. What is WannaCry? August 20, 2017 September 15, 2018 Uma Subbiah. Costing the UK £92 million and running up global costs of up to a whopping £6 billion. In May of 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack infected more than 200,000 computers across 150 countries by sending phishing emails to vulnerable, older-version Microsoft system networks. SDxCentral employs cookies to improve your site experience, to analyze traffic and performance, and to serve personalized content and advertising relevant to your professional interests. Related Posts. Though the decryptor was included within the payload, users that paid the ransom weren’t guaranteed to get their files back. Due to bad coding, there was no way to, trace the payment to the computer it was made from, One day after the attack, Windows released. Ransomware Case Studies & Forensics Analysis A particularly insidious type of malware is ransomware, which is secretly installed on your windows systems and locks the system down.