Ransomware

Welcome to the Voice of America’s News Words.

This word is from a recent attack on computers.

Ransomware.

The cyber attack was described by experts as ransomware.

Companies, government agencies and hospitals around the world lost control of their computer’s data.

Affected computers received a message demanding payment of $300 to regain control of the data.

Ransomware is harmful computer software.

It blocks access to computer systems until users pay to get their data back.

Randomware is illigal.

It is not new. It was used as early as 1989.