Deception File System Translator for Ransomware Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ransomware attacks on endpoint systems encrypt files, causing significant damage and financial loss as companies are forced to pay ransoms to recover their data, highlighting the need for an effective prevention method.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a BotSink system that generates deception directories and files, intercepting file system commands to simulate a vast, infinite file system, distracting attackers and preventing them from accessing and encrypting production files by providing decoy data and metadata, thereby mitigating ransomware attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional file system protection methods are used, then system complexity increases, but ransomware mitigation effectiveness remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a file system translator as an intermediary layer between the ransomware and the actual file system. This translator intercepts file system commands from the ransomware and provides deceptive responses, preventing the ransomware from accessing and encrypting real files. The mediator approach allows the system to maintain simplicity while achieving effective ransomware mitigation through the translation layer that confuses and misdirects the malicious software.
2Productivity
If deception directories and files are generated to distract attackers, then productivity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating deception directories and files before the ransomware attack occurs. The file system translator is configured in advance with the ability to create fake file system structures and metadata that mimic legitimate files. When ransomware attempts to access the file system, these pre-prepared deceptive elements are immediately presented, maintaining productivity by preventing encryption while the added complexity is confined to the translation layer rather than affecting core business operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Endpoints in a network environment include remote file systems mounted thereto that reference a file system generator that responds to file system commands with deception data. Requests to list the contents of a directory are intercepted, such as while a response is passed up through an IO stack. The response is modified to include references to deception files and directories that do not actually exist on the system hosting the file system generator. The number of the deception files and directories may be randomly selected. Requests to read deception files are answered by generating a file having a file type corresponding to the deception file. Deception files may be written back to the system by an attacker and then deleted.