Ransomware, a popular form of malicious malware, continues to threaten individuals, governments and, more recently, educational institutions throughout the country. It is usually delivered through targeted “phishing emails.” Phishing emails are messages sent by individuals trying to “fish” for personal or financial information or other valuable data. Alternatively, an individual may visit a site that attacks his or her hard drive once a trigger is executed such as opening a file or playing a video. The victim’s computer hard drive is ensnared after opening an innocent, unintrusive-looking email that activates the malware. The victim is then locked out of his or her data or system, and a subsequent demand for payment is then sent to the victim.

In another scenario, involving a business enterprise or government agency, when an employee of an organization innocently opens the email, the malware enters the entire data system, erupting and corrupting the system at a designated time. See, e.g., Joie Tyrrell, Rockville Centre Pays About $100K to Hackers After Ransomware Attack, Officials Say, Newsday, Aug. 24, 2019. These scenarios have been playing out in countless damaging incidents throughout the nation.

Forms of Malware

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