Attack
Ransomware
Malware that encrypts an organisation's systems and demands payment, often after stealing data to leak.
Modern ransomware groups break in, spread to as many systems as possible, steal data and only then encrypt, so victims face both an outage and a leak threat. Many operate as a service: developers rent the malware to affiliates who carry out the intrusions.
Ransomware in the news
Recent stories that mention it.
Related
- AttackData extortionStealing data and threatening to publish it unless the victim pays.
- ConceptInitial access brokerA criminal who breaks into networks and sells that access to others, such as ransomware gangs.
- TechnologyActive DirectoryMicrosoft's directory of users, computers and permissions that most corporate Windows networks are built on.
Plain-language explainers written by SecurityTabs, matched to stories by name. All terms