ransomware
RAN-sum-wair
/ˈrænsəmwer/
A type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid.
Unlike other malware, its primary goal is extortion rather than just theft or destruction.
The story behind the word. A portmanteau of 'ransom' and 'software.' The first known instance was the 1989 'AIDS Trojan,' which was distributed via floppy disks and demanded payment to a P.O. box in Panama.
Word relationships
- extortionware: A less common, more descriptive term for the same thing.
Collocations
- ransomware attack
- pay the ransomware
- ransomware strain
Example sentences
- "The hospital's patient records were encrypted by ransomware, and the attackers demanded two million dollars in Bitcoin." A news report on a hospital attack.
- "Ransomware has become the most prominent threat to businesses, causing billions in losses annually." A cybersecurity analysis.
Memory hook
Your computer is held for 'ransom' by 'software'. Pay up or lose your files.
When not to use
Do not use for software that simply deletes files without asking for money; that is just a virus or wiper.
Fun facts
- The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack affected over 200,000 computers across 150 countries in just a few days.
Related words
Explore more words
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