Secret Sharing as a Defense Mechanism for Ransomware in Cloud Storage Systems

Ransomware is a prevalent and highly destructive type of malware that has increasingly targeted cloud storage systems, leading to significant data loss and financial damage. Conventional security mechanisms, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and backups, have proven inadequate in preventing ransomware attacks, highlighting the need for more robust solutions. This paper proposes the use of Secret Sharing Schemes (SSS) as a defense mechanism to safeguard cloud storage systems from ransomware threats. Secret sharing works by splitting data into several encrypted shares, which are stored across different locations. This ensures that even if some shares are compromised, the original data remains recoverable, providing both security and redundancy. We conducted a comprehensive review of existing secret sharing schemes and evaluated their suitability for cloud storage protection. Building on this analysis, we proposed a novel framework that integrates secret sharing with cloud storage systems to enhance their resilience against ransomware attacks. The framework was tested through simulations and theoretical evaluations, which demonstrated its effectiveness in preventing data loss, even in the event of partial compromise. Our findings show that secret sharing can significantly improve the reliability and security of cloud storage systems, minimizing the impact of ransomware by allowing data to be reconstructed without paying a ransom. The proposed solution also offers scalability and flexibility, making it adaptable to different cloud storage environments. This research provides a valuable contribution to the field of cloud security, offering a new layer of protection against the growing threat of ransomware.

@article{Wadho2024,
  title     = {Secret Sharing as a Defense Mechanism for Ransomware in Cloud Storage Systems},
  journal   = {International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications},
  volume    = {15},
  number    = {10},
  year      = {2024},
  publisher = {The Science and Information Organization},
  author    = {Shuaib A Wadho and Sijjad Ali and Asma Ahmed A. Mohammed and Aun Yichiet and Ming Lee Gan and Chen Kang Lee},
  doi       = {10.14569/IJACSA.2024.01510102},
  url       = {https://doi.org/10.14569/IJACSA.2024.01510102}
}