Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun computing Malware that holds the data of a computer user for ransom.
  • noun computing Software that is released as open source only in exchange for payment.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

ransom +‎ -ware

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Examples

  • They were victims of a Trojan horse virus called ransomware, which kidnaps documents and encrypts them, meaning users can no longer access their files unless they pay the demand by credit card.

    Hack In The Box 2010

  • They were victims of a Trojan horse virus called ransomware, which kidnaps documents and encrypts them, meaning users can no longer access their files unless they pay the demand by credit card.

    Hack In The Box 2010

  • According to Computerworld, this type of scam is a new one in the world of "ransomware" - the practice of holding hostage a computer system or the data it contains, and then extorting money from its rightful owner.

    Hack In The Box 2010

  • According to Computerworld, this type of scam is a new one in the world of "ransomware" - the practice of holding hostage a computer system or the data it contains, and then extorting money from its rightful owner.

    Hack In The Box 2010

  • Furthermore, these syndicates employing rogue anti-malware programs have turned from mining personal financial data with these crimeware programs to an extortion model whereby the attackers demand ransom for unlocking a PC that has been infected with so-called ransomware code masquerading as anti-virus software.

    Help Net Security - News 2010

  • Some of them have recently started to adopt a more aggressive approach, known as ransomware, where they block critical system functionality until a license fee is paid.

    Softpedia News - Global 2009

  • Holding data hostage is sometimes done using "ransomware" Otherwise known as "ransom software."

    ActiveRain Real Estate Network Identity Theft Speaker 2010

  • Holding data hostage is sometimes done using "ransomware" Otherwise known as "ransom software."

    ActiveRain Real Estate Network Identity Theft Speaker 2010

  • The onset of cloud, social media and virtualization technologies will lead the cybercriminals to adopt new methods such as ransomware and crime as a service, is going to threaten the enterprise at large.

    Gaea Times (by Simple Thoughts) Breaking News and incisive views 24/7 Partho 2010

  • A new piece of "ransomware", a piece of malware that is actually acting like a legitimate program, has cropped up and is now demanding $400 from users that is says are violating copyright laws.

    Tech Support Forums - TechIMO.com RicheemxX 2010

  • The horrors of ransomware – where cybercriminals break in, lock up computer data, then demand payments to restore access – have increasingly hobbled cities and municipalities across the globe in recent years.

    ‘All we know is MONEY!’: US cities struggle to fight hackers Sam Levin 2020

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