What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a category of malware that restricts users from accessing their devices or data. Ransomware attackers force their victims to pay the ransom through specifically noted payment methods after which they grant the victims access to their computers or to their data. With ransomlockers, the attacker pretends to be local law enforcement, demanding a "fine" to let victims avoid arrest and to unlock their computers.
CryptoLocker is a ransomware variant where malware often encrypts a user's files and often deletes the original copy. The attacker requests a ransom for the files to be unencrypted. Not only are files on the local computer damaged, but also the files on any shared or attached network drives to which the computer has write access.
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