Ransomware
Malware that encrypts data and demands a ransom
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a victim's system, demanding payment of a ransom in return for the access codes required to unlock the files.
Ransomware messages are typified by hyperbolic exaggerations of the power of the encryption method used - in many cases (such as the GPCoder trojan) security firms have been able to crack the encryption without too much difficulty. The use of secure backups minimises the danger of losing data to such attacks.
