The Ransomware Threat

You might receive an innocuous looking email – it might even look like it’s from your boss – asking you to click on a link. Watch out! It could be the start of a ransomware attack. Over the last year cybersecurity experts say that the number of ransomware attacks has grown exponentially. During the pandemic lockdowns criminal hackers have been able to exploit the vulnerabilities inherent in the increase in homeworking to infiltrate computer systems, shut them down and then demand a ransom to restore services, or even to stop publishing data they’ve stolen. Along with the increased volume of attacks, the level of ransom demands has grown.

Using new technology and techniques, this has become a lucrative business for international criminal gangs, with individuals, businesses, schools, hospitals and charities all targeted. Joining David Aaronovitch in the Briefing Room to discuss ransomware attacks are: Emily Taylor, CEO of Oxford Information Labs and Editor of Chatham House's Journal of Cyber Policy

Sadie Creese, Professor of Cyber Security at the University of Oxford

Geoff White, investigative journalist and author and presenter of the BBC’s podcast series, The Lazarus Heist

Susan Landau, Bridge Professor of Cyber Security and Policy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and the School of Engineering, Department of Computer Science, Tufts University

Producers: John Murphy, Sally Abrahams and Imogen Serwotka

Sound Engineer: James Beard

Editor: Jasper Corbett