ransomware

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

|Updated on: 14 Jul 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

Combined with other high-profile Russian hacking from 2017, like the NotPetya ransomware attacks, the grid penetrations were a sobering revelation.

— lily hay newman, WIRED, "The Worst Cybersecurity Breaches of 2018 So Far," 9 July 2018
The study's findings—coming just months after Baltimore's 911 center was struck by a ransomware attack—paint a damning picture of how tech has been managed by the eighth-largest city police force in the country.

— sean gallagher, Ars Technica, "Baltimore’s police department is a technological disaster," 29 June 2018
Also in March, the city of Atlanta experienced major computer difficulties after a ransomware attack.

— shawn r. beals, Courant Community, "Middletown Schools Hit With Ransomware Attack," 29 June 2018
Around Bottoms’ 90 day anniversary, a ransomware cyber attack crippled the city’s computer network.

— stephen deere, ajc, "Bottoms’ budget reflects issues in campaign, early crises in office," 20 June 2018
That’s what happened with the WannaCry ransomware attack by North Korea last year, which used some of the sophisticated tools the N.S.A. had developed.

— david e. sanger, New York Times, "Why Hackers Aren’t Afraid of Us," 16 June 2018
North Korea’s hackers have previously been linked to the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack that affected computers around the world.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "North Korea Uses Microsoft and Apple Technology for Cyberattacks, Researchers Say," 6 June 2018
In December, county computers and severs were disabled for several days by a ransomware attack.

— steve harrison, charlotteobserver, "County budget includes first tax increase in 5 years. Here's what it would pay for. | Charlotte Observer," 22 May 2018
North Korea unleashed WannaCry ransomware on the world a year ago, and has been continually emboldened online.

— brian barrett, WIRED, "White House Cuts Critical Cybersecurity Role as Threats Loom," 15 May 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.