Ransomware Attack: Recognizing the Signs and Protecting Yourself

Identifying Ransomware Attacks

Prev Question Next Question

Question

After surfing the Internet, Joe, a user, woke up to find all his files were corrupted.

His wallpaper was replaced by a message stating the files were encrypted and he needed to transfer money to a foreign country to recover them.

Joe is a victim of:

Answers

Explanations

Click on the arrows to vote for the correct answer

A. B. C. D.

C.

Joe is a victim of ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts the victim's files and demands a ransom payment, usually in cryptocurrency, in exchange for a decryption key. In this case, Joe's files were encrypted and he was asked to transfer money to a foreign country to recover them. The message displayed on his wallpaper is a common tactic used by ransomware attackers to intimidate and pressure victims into paying the ransom.

A keylogger is a type of malware that records the victim's keystrokes, which can be used to steal passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information. While keyloggers can be used to aid in the distribution of ransomware, they are not directly responsible for the encryption of the victim's files.

Spyware is a type of malware that is designed to spy on the victim's activities, such as browsing history, email, and instant messages. Spyware is often used for targeted advertising, but it can also be used for more malicious purposes such as identity theft and espionage. However, in Joe's case, there is no indication that his activities were being monitored prior to the encryption of his files.

A logic bomb is a type of malware that is designed to execute a specific set of actions when triggered by a certain event, such as a date or a specific user action. While logic bombs can be used to cause damage to a victim's system, they are not typically associated with the encryption of files or the demand for a ransom payment.