What is ransomware?

What is ransomware?

• A. Software that speeds up your computer.
• B. It deletes files automatically.
• C. Ransomware encrypts your files and demands payment for their release.
• D. It duplicates files to the cloud.

Answer: (C)

Ransomware is a type of malware that locks or encrypts your files and then demands payment to restore access. This behavior—holding your data hostage and asking for money to release it—is what sets ransomware apart from other software issues. If your files suddenly become unreadable and you see a note demanding payment, that’s the hallmark of ransomware. The other descriptions aren’t about this behavior. Software that speeds up your computer describes a legitimate utility or benign software, which is not harmful like ransomware. A program that deletes files automatically would be destructive malware, not ransomware's typical ransom-for-access scheme. Duplicating files to the cloud describes backup or syncing, which is the opposite of ransomware’s goal of denying access to your data. To stay safe, keep regular backups, beware suspicious emails and links, and keep software updated.

Ransomware is a type of malware that locks or encrypts your files and then demands payment to restore access. This behavior—holding your data hostage and asking for money to release it—is what sets ransomware apart from other software issues. If your files suddenly become unreadable and you see a note demanding payment, that’s the hallmark of ransomware.

The other descriptions aren’t about this behavior. Software that speeds up your computer describes a legitimate utility or benign software, which is not harmful like ransomware. A program that deletes files automatically would be destructive malware, not ransomware's typical ransom-for-access scheme. Duplicating files to the cloud describes backup or syncing, which is the opposite of ransomware’s goal of denying access to your data. To stay safe, keep regular backups, beware suspicious emails and links, and keep software updated.