U.S. is Making Gains Against Ransomware Attacks (.PDF Download)

Defined as malware that encrypts files on a user’s computer and then demands payment to decrypt those files, ransomware attacks have been rising in recent years as the cybercriminals find new ways to infiltrate their victims’ computers. The attacks typically begin with a phishing email that includes a malicious attachment or link that—when opened—infects the computer with the ransomware. The ransomware then encrypts the computer’s files, makes them inaccessible and demands a ransom payment in the form of cryptocurrency.