On Tuesday, Windows computers — first in Ukraine, later across Europe and the United States — began to show users a message that looked something like this:
This is called ransomware, a relatively new form of malware that scrambles a victim’s files and then demands a payment to unscramble them.
Attacks like this have become an increasingly common problem online. Last month, thousands of computers were infected with ransomware that experts dubbed WannaCry, causing disruptions for hospitals in the United Kingdom.
Ars Technica’s Dan Goodin describes the carnage the software has caused:
It initially took hold in Ukraine and Russia, but soon …read more
Source: Vox
