Final answer:
Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts a user's data and demands a payment to regain access to the information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ransomware is malware that encrypts the user's data and demands payment in order to access the key needed to recover the information.
Ransomware attacks are carried out by hackers who gain unauthorized access to a computer system or network.
Once the malware is installed, it locks the user's files using strong encryption, making them inaccessible.
The attackers then demand a ransom, typically in the form of cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key.
It is important to regularly back up data and implement robust security measures to protect against ransomware attacks.