The Biggest Ransomware Attacks in History and What We Can Learn from Them
Ransomware has become one of the most destructive and profitable cyber threats in history. From small businesses to global corporations, no one is immune. If you're in the cybersecurity field or planning to enter it, understanding how the largest ransomware attacks happened—and why—is critical. Enrolling in a Best Cyber Security Course in Bengaluru can help you develop the skills needed to defend against such threats, but first, let’s walk through the real-world incidents that changed how the world thinks about digital security.
What Is Ransomware?
Before diving into the attacks, a quick refresher:
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a victim’s system and demands a ransom—usually in cryptocurrency—for the decryption key. Victims often face data loss, operational shutdowns, and serious financial damage if they don’t have secure backups or mitigation plans in place.
1. WannaCry – 2017
Impact: Over 200,000 computers in 150+ countries
Ransom Demanded: $300–$600 in Bitcoin
WannaCry is arguably the most infamous ransomware attack in history. It spread rapidly across the globe using a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows (EternalBlue), encrypting files and demanding ransom in Bitcoin. The worst part? It affected essential services like hospitals, transport, and telecom.
Who Was Hit?
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The UK’s National Health Service (NHS)
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FedEx
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Renault
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Telefonica
Lesson: Unpatched systems are open doors for ransomware. Security updates are not optional.
2. NotPetya – 2017
Impact: Estimated damage over $10 billion
Ransom Demanded: $300 in Bitcoin (but decryption was impossible)
Initially thought to be a ransomware attack, NotPetya turned out to be a data wiper disguised as one. It originated from a Ukrainian tax software and quickly spread to multinational companies. Victims paid, but never got their data back.
Major Victims:
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Maersk (shipping giant)
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Merck (pharmaceutical)
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Rosneft (Russian oil company)
Lesson: Not all ransomware is about money. Sometimes it's about sabotage—and pretending otherwise.
3. Colonial Pipeline – 2021
Impact: Shut down one of the largest fuel pipelines in the U.S.
Ransom Paid: $4.4 million (partially recovered)
This attack hit critical infrastructure. The ransomware group DarkSide targeted Colonial Pipeline’s IT system, causing massive fuel shortages across the eastern U.S. Panic buying and supply chain disruptions followed almost immediately.
Why It Matters:
This was the first time a cyberattack had such a direct, visible impact on the daily lives of millions.
Lesson: Critical infrastructure must invest heavily in cybersecurity. The stakes are real-world chaos.
4. Ryuk Ransomware – 2018–2020
Estimated Earnings: Over $150 million
Victim Type: Hospitals, municipalities, newspapers
Ryuk targeted large organizations with high ransom-paying capacity. It often started with a phishing email that introduced a trojan like TrickBot or Emotet. Once inside the network, the ransomware would move laterally before striking.
Notable Victims:
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Tribune Publishing
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Multiple U.S. hospitals
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Local governments and school districts
Lesson: Phishing emails remain the most successful entry point for attackers. User training is just as important as firewalls.
5. REvil (Sodinokibi) – Kaseya Attack (2021)
Impact: Over 1,500 businesses impacted worldwide
Ransom Demanded: $70 million
This was a software supply chain attack. REvil exploited vulnerabilities in Kaseya’s IT management platform, giving them access to a large number of Kaseya’s customers. It crippled small and mid-sized businesses across the globe.
Lesson: Third-party software vendors can become the weakest link. Cybersecurity doesn’t stop at your firewall.
6. Baltimore City Ransomware Attack – 2019
Ransom Demanded: $76,000
Cost to City: Over $18 million in recovery and losses
In May 2019, Baltimore’s government systems were locked by a ransomware attack that disrupted everything from email to real estate sales and utility payments. The city refused to pay the ransom, but the recovery cost far exceeded the demand.
Lesson: Paying ransom might seem like a bad idea (and often is), but not paying can still be incredibly expensive without a solid recovery plan.
7. JBS Foods – 2021
Ransom Paid: $11 million
Impact: Temporary shutdown of meat processing operations in the U.S., Canada, and Australia
JBS Foods, one of the world’s largest meat producers, was targeted by the REvil ransomware group. The attack disrupted food supply chains and raised global concerns over food security.
Lesson: Ransomware groups now target sectors with immediate operational impact—forcing faster payouts.
8. University of California, San Francisco – 2020
Ransom Paid: $1.14 million
Impact: Encrypted important academic research and data
The university paid a negotiated ransom after Ryuk ransomware encrypted servers related to research data. While controversial, this case showed how institutions with critical intellectual property are especially vulnerable.
Lesson: Backups are critical—but protecting intellectual property in academic and research institutions needs greater focus.
The Role of Ethical Hackers in Ransomware Defense
Ethical hackers are on the frontlines of ransomware prevention. They simulate real attacks, identify weak spots, and help build more resilient networks. Many organizations now rely on red teams (ethical hacking groups) to run ransomware simulation exercises—testing both technical defenses and response protocols.
If you want to gain these skills, enrolling in an Ethical Hacking Weekend Course in Bengaluru at the Boston Institute of Analytics is a smart move. You’ll learn how ransomware spreads, how attackers think, and how to proactively secure vulnerable systems.
Conclusion
The biggest ransomware attacks in history aren’t just cautionary tales—they’re wake-up calls. Each attack exposed different vulnerabilities: outdated software, lack of user awareness, insecure third-party tools, or weak backup strategies. The financial and reputational damage was massive. But the real loss was in time, trust, and operational breakdowns.
For professionals in the cybersecurity field—or those planning to enter it—understanding these events is essential. It’s not enough to know what happened. You need to know how and why, so you can build systems that don’t fall the same way.
If you’re ready to take your knowledge deeper and defend against ransomware at a professional level, consider enrolling in a Cyber Security Course in Bengaluru or an Ethical Hacking Course in Bengaluru at the Boston Institute of Analytics. It’s time to stop reacting to threats and start anticipating them.
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