Ransomware is a form of malicious software that locks access to important data by encrypting it, and demands a payment—often via cryptocurrency—for the decryption key. In many cases, attackers also threaten to publish stolen information to increase pressure on victims. These attacks commonly originate from phishing attempts, unsecured remote access services, or known software flaws, making early threat detection, strong cyber hygiene, and a well-defined response strategy critical to defense efforts.