Advanced Tactical Techniques for Cyber Combat: Ransomware & RaaS Frontline

Book excerpt: Ransomware is one of the most feared and dangerous types of malware of our time. As cybersecurity professionals, we are engaged in a relentless battle against this malicious software and the threat actors who wield it. In this book, we will delve into the origins, evolution, and escalation of this warfare, as well as explore the mechanics of the counteroffensive. We will begin by examining the emergence of primitive ransomware and then track the rise of modern ransomware and the threat actors behind it. This comprehensive analysis will shed light on these malicious programs and the individuals or groups responsible for their deployment. Following that, we will focus on maximizing our defensive strategies and technical skills. This book aims to be the definitive guide on ransomware, addressing every facet of this significant cybersecurity challenge. Topics covered include how ransomware is used, who writes it, which threat actors employ it, how these actors launch attacks, the techniques they use, and how we can detect and counteract these techniques.