ransomware

ransomware
n.
Malicious software that encrypts a person's computer files and demands a ransom to decrypt the files.
Example Citations:
A new trojan that holds computer files "hostage" and then then demands a $US300 ($410) ransom for their safe return has been identified by a virus tracking company.
The trojan has been labelled "ransomware" because it uses malicious code to hijack user files and to encrypt them so they cannot be accessed. It then asks for payment in return for the decryption key.
— Louisa Heran, "PC file kidnappers demand ransom," Sydney Morning Herald, March 15, 2006
According to security firm Sophos, this recent Trojan extortion threat is among the first to appear in English. Previous "ransomware" schemes have come from Russia and have been targeted at Russian computer users.
— Elizabeth Millard, "New Trojan Kidnaps Files for Ransom," Sci-Tech Today, March 17, 2006
Earliest Citation:
The latest threat to computer users doesn't destroy data or steal passwords — it locks up a person's electronic documents, effectively holding them hostage, and demands $200 to get them back.
Security researchers at San Diego-based Websense uncovered the unusual extortion plot when a corporate customer they would not identify fell victim to the infection, which encrypted files that included documents, photographs and spreadsheets. ...
The FBI said the scheme was unlike other Internet extortion crimes. Leading security and antivirus firms this week were updating protective software for companies and consumers to guard against this type of attack, which experts dubbed "ransomware."
— Ted Bridis, "Internet infection holds files hostage," The Associated Press, May 25, 2005
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New words. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Ransomware — sind Computerprogramme, mit deren Hilfe ein Eindringling private Daten auf einem fremden Computer verschlüsseln kann, um für die Entschlüsselung ein „Lösegeld“ zu fordern. Ihre Bezeichnung setzt sich aus der Zugehörigkeit zu der Klasse der… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Ransomware — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Ransomware es un malware generalmente distribuido mediante spam y que mediante distintas técnicas imposibilita al dueño de un documento acceder al mismo. El modo más comúnmente utilizado es cifrar con clave dicho… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Ransomware — (от английского ransom выкуп и software программное обеспечение) это вредоносное программное обеспечение, которое работает как вымогатель. Содержание 1 Типы программ вымогателей 1.1 Шифрование файлов в системе …   Википедия

  • Ransomware — may mean: * Software offered as open source in exchange for payment, see Street Performer Protocol *Ransomware (malware), malware used for an extortion crime …   Wikipedia

  • Ransomware — Un ransomware, ou rançongiciel est un logiciel malveillant qui prend en otage des données personnelles. Pour ce faire, un rançongiciel chiffre des données personnelles puis demande à leur propriétaire d envoyer de l argent en échange de la clé… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • ransomware — noun a) Malware that holds the data of a computer user for ransom. The amount of money generated by ransomware schemes would appear to be quite small given their lack of popularity and the asking price in ransom notes... b) Software that is… …   Wiktionary

  • Ransomware (malware) — For other uses, see Ransomware (disambiguation). Ransomware is computer malware which holds a computer system, or the data it contains, hostage against its user by demanding a ransom for its restoration. Operation Ransomware typically propagates… …   Wikipedia

  • ransomware — /ˈrænsəmwɛə/ (say ransuhmwair) noun a form of malware which encrypts certain files in the victim s computer, the victim then being required to pay money to an extortionist to have the files decrypted …  

  • Malware — El malware suele ser representado con símbolos de peligro. Malware (del inglés malicious software), también llamado badware, código maligno, software malicioso o software malintencionado es un tipo de software que tiene como objetivo infiltrarse… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Antivirus software — Antivirus redirects here. For antiviral medication, see Antiviral drug. Antivirus or anti virus software is used to prevent, detect, and remove malware, including but not limited to computer viruses, computer worm, trojan horses, spyware and… …   Wikipedia

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