TechnologyJuly 14, 2026
ransomware
/ˈrænsəmwɛər/
Definition
A type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system or data until a sum of money is paid to the attacker.
Etymology
The word is a portmanteau of 'ransom' (from Old French 'raençon,' meaning a price paid to release a captive) and 'software' (a computing term coined in the mid-20th century). It emerged in the late 1980s to describe digital extortion.
In the news
The term appears in the context of criminal operations and professional hackers who steal data or lock systems for profit. It highlights the serious real-world consequences that cybersecurity measures, like those discussed in the article, aim to prevent.
Five essential strategies to defend your business against AI-Powered cyberattacks
Read the full article ↗Escudo Digital