ransomware

noun ran·som·ware \ ˈran(t)-səm-ˌwer \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of ransomware

: malware that requires the victim to pay a ransom to access encrypted files

In September of 2013, security for small accounting offices changed forever with the appearance of a new class of threats called ransomware. … you open a file attached to an innocent-looking e-mail, and the program encrypts key files and drives so they cannot be accessed. The files are locked until you pay a ransom.
—Dave Mcclure

With ransomware, a hacker slips into a system, then puts encryption controls in place that locks users out. The hackers then demand money to "unlock" the data.
—Elizabeth Millard

Today's ransomware scammers often demand payment in bitcoin because the digital currency is easy to use, fast and provides a heightened anonymity for the scammers, according to the FBI warning.
—Susan Tompor

Recent Examples of ransomware from the Web

May 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack infects more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries.

— timothy w. martin, WSJ, "How North Korea’s Hackers Became Dangerously Good," 19 Apr. 2018
Hollywood Presbyterian and other hospitals were forced by ransomware attacks to turn away emergency room patients and shift back to paper charts while recovering from the attacks.

— sean gallagher, Ars Technica, "Hacking your brain(scan): security bugs in EEG software open hospitals to attack," 4 Apr. 2018
Last month, Atlanta's government was hobbled by a ransomware attack.

— Houston Chronicle, "Cyberattack hits data systems of at least 4 gas networks," 4 Apr. 2018
Even the City of Atlanta was held hostage by a ransomware attack that crippled its municipal computer networks.

— hiawatha bray, BostonGlobe.com, "How to defend your privacy, bit by bit," 3 Apr. 2018
Or the City of Atlanta, which is still dealing with the fallout of a ransomware attack from over a week ago.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Security News This Week: Julian Assange Has Lost His Internet Privileges," 31 Mar. 2018
The city of Atlanta experienced a five-day ransomware attack that was mostly fixed by Tuesday.

— bloomberg news, OregonLive.com, "Top Microsoft exec exits amid major shakeup," 29 Mar. 2018
More than seven-eighths of all recorded ransomware attacks in the United States in 2016 were aimed at the health care industry, according to NTT Security.

— alan blinder and nicole perlroth, New York Times, "Hard Choice for Cities Under Cyberattack: Whether to Pay Ransom," 29 Mar. 2018
The city of Atlanta experienced a five-day ransomware attack that was mostly fixed by Tuesday.

— dominic gates, chicagotribune.com, "Boeing hit by WannaCry virus, but says attack caused little damage," 29 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ransomware.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.