Ransomware has been successful because of its business model.  If one gets infected and their files get encrypted, by paying the ransom, the person with the infected computer usually gets their files back.

The latest wave of malware that worked its way across the globe last week, seems to be something different.  On the surface it appeared to be ransomware, but it reportedly encrypts the entire hard drive, maybe just deleting the data.  It isn’t fully clear yet.

It was also reported that the email address to pay the ransom was quickly turned off, leaving no avenue for the transaction.  Researchers are still questioning the motives of this latest attack.  Some researchers have speculated that the attack was more about causing disruption than about the traditional ransomware motive of getting paid.

Reference:

Washington Post Editorial Board (2017, July 01). A cyberattack swept across the globe last week. We should be ready for more. Retrieved July 02, 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-cyberattack-swept-across-the-globe-last-week-we-should-be-ready-for-more/2017/06/30/1d697c88-5c2f-11e7-a9f6-7c3296387341_story.html?utm_term=.9369cc6ad829&wpisrc=nl_rainbow&wpmm=1