Pay2Key Returns: A Deep Dive into the Linux Ransomware Targeting Servers and Cloud Infrastructure

Linux systems are often perceived as more secure by design, but recent threats prove that assumption can be dangerous. Modern ransomware like Pay2Key demonstrates how attackers combine simple Linux utilities such as cp command, netcat command, useradd command, or the apt command with advanced techniques to compromise servers at scale. These tools, normally used for administration and automation, can be abused to deploy payloads, maintain persistence, and move laterally inside infrastructure.