We've all heard a lot about ransomware that makes data
inaccessible and/or locks up the computer or device until you pay
for the encryption key. Now we're seeing a variant on that
theme that some call doxware, or extortionware, that goes further
and threatens to release copies of the private documents, photos,
and email messages on your computer to the public if you don't
pay up. It's just one example of how malware has evolved over
the past few years and is becoming more and more aggressive.
Ransomware gets its name from the fact that it holds some or all
of your files hostage and demands payment to release them. This
particularly heinous type of malware has been around at least since
the 1980s, when the incarnation known as AIDS appeared. Various
ransomware Trojans have cropped up over the years, but really
ramped up a few years ago as Bitcoin offered the opportunity for
attackers to easily collect the money without going through
traditional channels.
