To gain access, some threat actors use spam, where they send an email with a malicious attachment to as many people as possible, seeing who opens the attachment and 'takes the bait,' so to speak. There are several different ways that ransomware can infect your computer How do I get ransomware? Malspam Having access enables them to utilize the malware needed to encrypt, or lock up, your device and data. How exactly does a threat actor carry out a ransomware attack? First, they must gain access to a device or network. Some ransomware authors sell the service to other cybercriminals, which is known as Ransomware-as-a-Service or RaaS. Today, ransomware authors order that payment be sent via cryptocurrency or credit card, and attackers target individuals, businesses, and organizations of all kinds. The earliest variants of ransomware were developed in the late 1980s, and payment was to be sent via snail mail. While some people might think 'a virus locked my computer,' ransomware would typically be classified as a different form of malware than a virus. Ransom malware, or ransomware, is a type of malware that prevents users from accessing their system or personal files and demands ransom payment in order to regain access.
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