A Python-based educational tool designed to learn how ransomware works in a controlled environment. This project is created strictly for cybersecurity education and Python learning purposes.

This software is designed ONLY for educational purposes to understand:

• Encryption/decryption mechanisms
• Python programming concepts
• GUI development with Tkinter
• Cybersecurity threats and protections

NEVER use this code for malicious purposes. Unauthorized encryption of files is illegal and unethical.

• File Encryption/Decryption: Simulates how ransomware encrypts and decrypts files
• Interactive GUI: Recreates the look and feel of ransomware interfaces
• Safe Environment: Includes built-in protection mechanisms (predefined password)
• Educational Comments: Code is thoroughly commented to explain functionality

• Python: Core programming language
• Tkinter: GUI framework
• PIL (Pillow): Image processing
• Cryptography: Fernet symmetric encryption
• Hashlib: Password hashing

1. Clone this repository

git clone https://github.com/CyberNilsen/Ransomware.git

2. Install Required Dependencies Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run:

pip install cryptography pillow

3. Run the ransomware

python ransomware_simulator.py

⚠️ Run only in test folders with non-important files!

• Encrypts .txt, .png, .jpg, and other common file types in a selected directory
• Uses Fernet symmetric encryption
• GUI displays a "ransom note" interface with a decryption field
• Built-in key ensures all files can be safely restored during simulation

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

Developed with curiosity and passion by Andreas (CyberNilsen)