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Russ Suter

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How do I get ransomware?

I have a new project which involves demonstrating exactly how ransomware works. I need to set up a virtual machine with some sample data and some variant of ransomware. I need to run a live demonstration which shows what happens on a PC from the initial point of infection all the way to the point where the ransom notice is displayed. Obviously I know this is dangerous and the correct precautions will be in place to ensure that the VM is completely network isolated. Does anyone know how I can do something like this?
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The best way to demonstrate the risk of ransomware is to write a simple shell script that encrypts files in a folder.

Ransomware FAQ - How Ransomware Infects Your Computer:
https://blog.barkly.com/how-ransomware-infects-computers

An Example of How Ransomware Works:
https://www.carbonblack.com/2016/09/19/how-ransomware-works/

This earlier thread helps you to understand how to protect yourself from Ransomware:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/45ce0ae2-18ee-48dc-98e8-362d1744aa45/wannacry-attack?forum=securityupdateguide

Hope this helps!
Find a teenager who is active on social media, and open all of the emails in his/her box.
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Russ Suter

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Sorry for the late response here. I went on vacation. :)

Lots of good info here. Thank you all for your feedback. I'm still a bit nervous about trying this but I'm fairly sure that running it on an isolated VM without network access should successfully contain the problem. I'll probably look into something a little less virulent than Wanacry since pretty much any ransomware variant will demonstrate what I want to show.
Really TRY physically separated networks, and physically  separated servers....
It is TOO EASY to make mistakes with VM's.  and VLANS...

The prices is too high to make a mistake.
The machines you want to infect need to have no connection to the internet as well.