Ransomware is a type of malware that infects a computer silently and restricts access to the computer from the user. After that, it demands a ransom from the victim to resume normal operations on the computer.

Ransomware is one of the biggest threats today. Every year, it infects millions of computers and extorts a hefty amount of money from users or organizations.

Who can be a target of ransomware?

Ransomware can target any computer, including a home computer, endpoints in an enterprise network, servers of an organization, government agency, or healthcare provider. Ransomware infects a computer by some means and then stops normal operations until the ransomware is removed from the computer.

What are the different types of ransomware?

There can be different types of ransomware. They infect a computer by various means and restrict the access of the computer using different ways.

One type of ransomware infects a computer silently and displays a fake warning message. It falsely claims that the computer has been used for illegal activities like pirated software or pornography and got caught by some legal authorities. Then, it claims a large amount of money from the user.

Another type of ransomware infects a computer and sets the Windows Shell to itself. Then, it restricts access to the computer to the user and claims a large amount of money to give back access.

Some ransomware is extremely complex. They enter the system and encrypt useful files with an encryption key which is difficult to break. It then asks the user to pay money to be able to decrypt those files. But, payment of money, in no way, ensures that the encrypted files will be decrypted back.

But, irrespective of whichever type the ransomware is, all their purpose is the same – to extort money from the user.

How does ransomware infect a computer?

Ransomware is usually a type of trojan. It can infect a computer by different means.

In some cases, the ransomware hides itself in software that appears useful or interesting to the user and convinces him to install it. On installation of the apparently benign software, the malware infects …