What does ransomware do to hold a target hostage?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed specifically to hold a target's data hostage by encrypting it. When a system is infected with ransomware, the attacker uses encryption algorithms to render the victim's files unreadable. This means that the victim can no longer access their important data, which could include documents, images, or even critical system files. To regain access, the victim is typically presented with a ransom demand, often in the form of cryptocurrency, which they are urged to pay in exchange for a decryption key that would restore their access to the files.

This method effectively makes the data unusable until the ransom is paid, which is the core functionality of ransomware. In contrast, while deleting files, infecting a system with viruses, or stealing user credentials can also be harmful, they do not align with the primary operation of ransomware, which is encryption for monetization through ransom.