Ransomware attacks are a growing threat to businesses and individuals around the world. These attacks involve hackers encrypting a victim’s data and demanding a ransom in exchange for the decryption key. The cost of these attacks can be devastating, both in terms of financial losses and the impact on the victim’s operations and reputation.
In this article, we will look at the 10 worst ransomware attacks in history, highlighting the impact and cost of these attacks, as well as the lessons that can be learned from them.
WannaCry (2017)
WannaCry was one of the most widespread and devastating ransomware attacks in history. It infected more than 300,000 computers in over 150 countries, including hospitals, banks, and government agencies. The attack caused widespread disruption and resulted in estimated losses of over $4 billion.
NotPetya (2017)
NotPetya was another massive ransomware attack that spread quickly around the world. It affected organizations in over 60 countries, including shipping giant Maersk and pharmaceutical company Merck. The attack resulted in estimated losses of over $10 billion.
Bad Rabbit (2017)
Bad Rabbit was a ransomware attack that targeted organizations in Russia and Ukraine, as well as a few other countries. It affected airports, news organizations, and government agencies, causing widespread disruption. The attack resulted in estimated losses of over $100 million.
LockerGoga (2019)
LockerGoga was a targeted ransomware attack that targeted the French engineering firm Altran Technologies. The attack resulted in the company’s operations grinding to a halt, causing significant financial losses and reputational damage. The attack was estimated to have caused losses of over $60 million.
Ryuk (2019)
Ryuk was a targeted ransomware attack that targeted several large organizations, including the New York Times and the Pennsylvania state government. The attack resulted in significant disruption and financial losses, with estimated losses ranging from $3 million to $30 million.
Sodinokibi (2019)
Sodinokibi, also known as REvil, was a ransomware attack that targeted several high-profile organizations, including the City of Pensacola and the Maryland State Court System. The attack resulted in significant disruption and financial losses, with estimated losses of over $100 million.
Maze (2019)
The maze was a ransomware attack that targeted several large organizations, including the City of Torrance and the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. The attack resulted in significant disruption and financial losses.
