"Ransomware" screen on trams and TV billboards in Russia turn out to be ad from cyber security firm

According to Positive Technologies, provocative street art first appeared, mimicking ransomware malware. So, fictional windows of the Windows interface were depicted on trams with the inscription “All passengers with sad faces. This tram has been hacked,” it was written on the walls “We will return the wall for 3 BTC (bitcoin),” and on the TV screens — “Right now we will steal Antey.”

A few days later, the images were replaced by others, which had the QR code of the Positive Technologies company's manifesto video about the need to pay attention to information protection.

According to Positive Technologies, with the help of an unusual campaign, the company tried to attract the attention of people and organizations to cybersecurity problems, which have become especially acute recently.

“In 2020, compared to 2019, the number of unique cyber incidents increased by 51%. Seven out of ten attacks were targeted. Most often, cybercriminals attacked government and medical institutions, as well as industrial enterprises,” Positive Technologies reports.

Information security experts note that the number of cyberattacks in the world has increased by 40% this year compared to the previous one. As for Russia, the number of cyberattacks has increased even more significantly — by 54%.

“The concept of art is that we visually convey the process of a hacker attack. The information environment already affects the real one. The main desire is to show through clear and simple images that everything can be hacked in the modern world. And do not underestimate such threats, because while you are reading this text, someone can hack you,” said one of the artists.