# CryptoWall
### A quick introduction to Ransomware
Ransomware is a form of Malware developed with the intent of distributing malicious code, often encrypting your files behind an encrypted format or locking your system, and demanding payment before a set date or time in which your encrypted files are completely formatted. The payment itself is usually requested through bitcoin, an anonymous form of encrypted payment without leaving a trace of identity behind. There are many different types of Ransomware software, and according to Varonis:

> “according to the [2018 Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report](https://www.verizonenterprise.com/verizon-insights-lab/dbir/), ransomware incidents now make up about 40% of all reported malware incidents!”[1].

### But what is Malware?
Malware is a type of virus designed to cause malicious intent, such as encrypting your files or changing your browser home page without your permission. It is an amalgamation of the words "Malicious" and "Software".
Malware can consist of Viruses, Trojan Horses, Worms or Spyware. [2] Malware can be installed on your system, often without your permisson, in many different ways.
For example:
- By plugging in a USB stick 
- By opening an attachment on an email with an executable file, such as .msi, .exe or .zip.
- By installing software from unknown or untrusted vendors on the internet, such as download.com or softpedia.



### What is Cryptowall?
Cryptowall is a piece of malware that encrypts all of your personal files and demands payment to decrypt them, it was released around the end of April in 2014 [3]


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### References

[1] J.  Petters, "The State of CryptoWall in 2018", *Inside Out Security*, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.varonis.com/blog/cryptowall/. [Accessed: 25- Nov- 2019].

[2] M. Rouse, "What is Malware? - Definition from WhatIs.com", SearchSecurity, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/malware. [Accessed: 04- Dec- 2019].

[3] "CryptoWall and HELP_DECRYPT Ransomware Information Guide and FAQ", BleepingComputer, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/cryptowall-ransomware-information. [Accessed: 25- Nov- 2019].