What is a Ransomware ? - Security Term

Ransomware is a type of malicious computer software that threatens the user to take some destructive or harmful actions. Ransomware demands the victim to pay up in order to stop it from running a payload or restore modified or stolen information. Typical parasites are usually trojans, malicious computer programs, which are disguised as harmless applications. Such pests get secretly installed to the system.

A typical payload of ransomware parasites is encrypting files containing important, vital data, deleting user sensitive information, corrupting the system or installed software, stealing confidential documents, user identity details, etc.

First of all, most ransomware parasites run a payload. Then they ask the user to pay the ransom in order to restore lost data or bring the system or installed software to its initial state. If the user pays up, he or she receives certain passwords, codes, special instructions or utilities that allow restoring the information or the system. In some cases, ransomware parasites make this automatically. However, one can never know whether the author of the parasite is actually going to remove the threat or just take user money.

Typical ransomware parasites are very dangerous. Although they usually do not self-replicate and even inform the user about what they are doing, such threats can make all your vital information inaccessible, steal your valuable data and destroy the entire system, if you will not pay up.

Ransomware makers use simple ways to make your data inaccessible. Most antivirus and anti-spyware companies successfully analyze ransomware and find working solutions to remove it and restore victim files, etc. Wait until security software companies will release the updates and then give your system a thorough scan. Most antiviruses and advanced anti-spyware programs will remove the infection, restore your system, your files and important information.


source: freetechexams