Question

Gurmeet turned on her computer and found that she could not access any of her files. A message appeared on her screen demanding payment to regain access. The type of malware affecting Gurmeet's system is known as:

• A. Virus
• B. Spyware
• C. Ransomware
• D. Adware

Hint:

To protect against Ransomware, keep regular offline backups of your critical data on external drives that are kept disconnected from your network.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Identifying Malware Types:
Malicious software (malware) is categorized by its behavior and intent:
• Virus (A): A program that replicates itself by attaching to healthy host files. It executes when the file is run, often corrupting systems.
• Spyware (B): Runs silently in the background, monitoring user activity, recording keystrokes, and stealing credentials without the user's knowledge.
• Ransomware (C): Encrypts local files and storage systems using strong cryptography (like RSA or AES), completely blocking user access. It then displays a ransom note demanding payment (usually in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin) in exchange for the decryption key.
• Adware (D): Automatically serves unwanted advertisements (pop-ups, banners) to generate revenue for its developer.

Step 2: Conclusion:
Since Gurmeet's files were locked and access was held for a cash/payment demand, her computer was infected with Ransomware (C).