What describes ransomware?

What describes ransomware?

• A. A worm that duplicates across a network.
• B. A voice phishing technique.
• C. A firewall.
• D. A type of malware that encrypts a victim's hard drive denying them access to key files. The victim must then pay a ransom to decrypt the files and gain access to them again.

Answer: (D)

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s files, denying access to them, and then demands payment to provide the decryption key to regain access. It usually encrypts data on a computer or across networks and presents a ransom note with instructions, often asking for payment in cryptocurrency. Paying does not guarantee recovery, and victims can lose data if decryption keys aren’t provided or work is incomplete. Ransomware commonly spreads through phishing emails, malicious links, or exploiting vulnerabilities, and it can move laterally within a network. Defenses include keeping backups offline, patching systems, training users to recognize phishing, applying least-privilege access, and using strong endpoint security. In contrast, a worm propagates itself across networks, a voice phishing technique aims to trick people into revealing information by voice, and a firewall is a protective device, not malware.

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s files, denying access to them, and then demands payment to provide the decryption key to regain access. It usually encrypts data on a computer or across networks and presents a ransom note with instructions, often asking for payment in cryptocurrency. Paying does not guarantee recovery, and victims can lose data if decryption keys aren’t provided or work is incomplete. Ransomware commonly spreads through phishing emails, malicious links, or exploiting vulnerabilities, and it can move laterally within a network. Defenses include keeping backups offline, patching systems, training users to recognize phishing, applying least-privilege access, and using strong endpoint security. In contrast, a worm propagates itself across networks, a voice phishing technique aims to trick people into revealing information by voice, and a firewall is a protective device, not malware.