Why Ransomware Attacks Are on the Rise and How the U.S. Can Fight Them | September 2021
Ransomware attacks are increasing across the country and victims are losing amounts at an increasing rate. The Wall Street Journal dives deeper into these attacks and how to fight them.
September 2021 | Volume 13, Issue 2
Discussion Questions
- What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a form of malware (software that is specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system) that encrypts a victim’s files. The attacker then demands a ransom from the victim to restore access to the data upon payment. The perpetrator shows users instructions for how to pay a fee to get the decryption key.
Learn more about ransomware, including what it is and how to remove it. - What is a hacker?
A hacker is a person who uses computers to gain unauthorized access to date. Hacking is both a criminal and a civil wrong, and the violator can typically be tried in both federal and state court. - Conduct some research and describe what law(s) are broken by hackers in their deployment of ransomware.
The depth of research will vary among students, and for that reason, student responses will likely vary. Fundamentally, the acts of hacking and the use of ransomware can violate both federal and state law.
For violations of federal law, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), please click here. For violations of state law, click here to learn more.
