NotPetya is a destructive malware attack that first appeared in June 2017, masquerading as ransomware but primarily designed to cause widespread disruption. It initially spread through a compromised Ukrainian accounting software update, quickly infecting organizations worldwide. Unlike typical ransomware, NotPetya irreversibly encrypted data, making recovery impossible even if victims paid the ransom. The attack crippled major companies, disrupted global supply chains, and resulted in billions of dollars in damages. NotPetya is widely believed to have been a politically motivated cyberweapon rather than a financially driven attack, highlighting the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks.