Ransomware threat mitigation techniques: Past, present, and future

Abstract

Over the past few years, ransomware as a crypto-virological malware has received much media attention through multiple assaults on prominent corporate organizations. In general, ransomware is malicious software tending to encrypt the data of its hostage and demands a ransom amount to release the captive through sharing a decryption key. The velocity of ransomware attacks has escalated throughout the years, presenting a substantial threat to individuals, corporations, and government entities. This chapter will include approaches used to mitigate the threats of ransomware. The journey will be accompanied by defining ransomware, exploring its historical background, its gradual progress, and detailed classifications, including Ransomware 2.0. The next phase will portray the effects of ransomware attacks and the different methods that can be used to prevent attacks and lessen their impact if they occur. In affiliation with this, the chapter will pave its way to future scopes and provisions like the potential of research in mitigating the ransomware threat and promoting mass awareness to help prevent and minimize it. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Mohiuddin Ahmed. All rights reserved.