Ransomware’s Jolly Evolution: From Floppy Disks to Bitcoin Busts
Celebrating the 35th anniversary of the AIDS Trojan, a pioneering ransomware, is like honoring the first person to trip over their own shoelaces. From floppy disks to Bitcoin, ransomware has evolved, leaving us nostalgic for simpler, less encrypted times. Who knew cybercrime could be so… vintage?
Hot Take:
Ah, the holiday season of the ’80s—the time when “cybersecurity” was just a sci-fi term and floppy disks were the closest thing to a Trojan horse. Little did we know that Joseph Popp, a biologist with a knack for mail-order shenanigans, would pioneer what now makes IT departments break out in cold sweats: ransomware. Talk about decking the halls with cyber chaos!
Key Points:
- The AIDS Trojan, invented by Joseph Popp in 1989, is considered the first instance of ransomware.
- Popp mailed around 26,000 infected floppy disks from London, exploiting the lack of computer fraud laws.
- The trojan would activate after 90 reboots, demanding a ransom for unlocking access.
- Despite its rudimentary design, the AIDS Trojan laid the groundwork for modern ransomware.
- Ransomware has evolved significantly since, with modern attacks leveraging cryptocurrencies for anonymity.
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