Ransomware is a group of malware which locks or encrypts the victim's computer and demands payment for decrypting the computer. The primary motive for all ransomware attacks is always monetary.

Unlike many other types of cyber attacks, ransomware attacks notify the victim about the exploit, and it also gives instructions on how to recover from it (usually it demands payment for recovery). To avoid a crackdown by law enforcement, hackers who are behind the ransomware attacks typically demand payments in virtual currencies, such as the Bitcoins.

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Since ransomware is one of the most prominent and widespread among all other cyber threats, let's have a closer look at how it operates.

Ransomware: Infection Mechanism

Ransomware infects a computer through various means such as through malicious email attachments, malicious links in shady websites. Most ransomware attacks are based on remote desktop protocol and other tactics that don't rely on user interaction.