What is RANSOMWARE?

Ransomware has existed since the late 1980s, but it has really become prevalent of late.  It has been around for awhile in the computer world, but it hasn't really taken off until recently.  It is a type of malicious computer software that threatens the user to take some destructive or harmful actions.  It is a specific type of malicious software that holds a computer and its contents virtually hostage.  Ransomware is another type of malware that is designed to take your computer hostage. 

Ransomware is a type of malware used for data kidnapping.  It has been a threat for many years, but most threats of this type were cracked in minutes.  It is a relatively new and nasty Internet scam.  It can enter your computer like any other malware, but drive-by-downloads are the hardest to protect from.  Ransomware can enter through an infected email or a network vulnerability. 

Ransomware can lock, encrypt or scramble files—in effect, holding them hostage—so that users are no longer able to access them.  It is created by scammers who are well educated in computer programming.  It is prevalent in the UK. It is a malicious software.