UP Researcher Innovates AI Solution to Counter Escalating Ransomware Threats

Ransomware attacks are surging worldwide, significantly impacting finances and society. In 2024, a Fortune 50 firm paid a staggering $75 million ransom, while South African entities also face increasing threats, exemplified by the National Health Laboratory Service breach in June that leaked 1.2 terabytes of sensitive data. Avinash Singh, a lecturer at the University of Pretoria, is addressing this issue using artificial intelligence. He created MalFE, a tool that aids researchers in collecting and analyzing ransomware samples to enhance AI detection systems. Singh emphasizes the importance of data for malware detection, given its current scarcity. MalFE enables the development of machine learning datasets and promotes collaborative research, diverging from traditional isolated cybersecurity approaches. In South Africa, the average ransom payout in 2024 was R17.9 million, with recovery costs hitting R19.44 million. Singh warns that ransomware on critical infrastructure can jeopardize economies and essential services, highlighting the need for resilience and security in the digital landscape.

Source link