Thirty-five years ago, the world’s first known example of ransomware was unleashed on unsuspecting victims. In December 1989, a 5.25-inch floppy disk titled “AIDS Information — Introductory Diskette 2.0” was distributed to PC Business World magazine subscribers and others, including World Health Organization delegates.
Developed by American biologist Dr. Joseph Lewis Andrew Popp Jr., this pioneering ransomware exploited people’s fears of a new biological virus at a time when computer viruses were not well understood. The attack used a sloppy encryption method that only encrypted file names, making it easier for software countermeasures to be developed.
Despite being relatively primitive compared to modern-day attacks, the “AIDS Information” ransomware caused significant financial damages and data loss, including an Italian health organization losing 10 years of research.
Interestingly, Dr. Popp Jr.’s mental fitness came into question during his trial, with a London psychiatrist concluding that he was “mentally unfit to stand trial.” The attack’s estimated cost was around £10,000, which is roughly $38,600 today.
The “AIDS Information” ransomware serves as a reminder of the early days of cybercrime and the importance of understanding the evolution of malware.
Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/cyber-security/the-first-ever-ransomware-dropped-35-years-ago-disguised-as-a-floppy-sharing-aids-information