Forensic Analysis of LockBit Ransomware

This study presents a comprehensive forensic analysis of LockBit ransomware, one of the most prominent Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) threats. The research combines real-world case study evaluation with hands-on malware analysis conducted in a controlled virtual environment.

The investigation examines the complete attack lifecycle, including initial access, execution, file encryption, ransom note generation, and persistence mechanisms. Various forensic tools were utilized to analyze system behavior, registry modifications, and process activity.

The results demonstrate successful execution of core ransomware functions within the test environment, providing practical insight into its behavior and artifacts.

Findings highlight the technical sophistication of modern ransomware, including anti-analysis techniques and operational impact on infected systems. The study also emphasizes the importance of proactive mitigation strategies such as secure backups, patch management, and continuous monitoring.