A user, Ann, is reporting to the company IT support group that her workstation screen is blank other than a window with a message requesting payment or else her
hard drive will be formatted. Which of the following types of malware is on Ann’s workstation?

A.
Trojan

B.
Spyware

C.
Adware

D.
Ransomware

Explanation:
Ransomware is a type of malware which restricts access to the computer system that it infects, and demands a ransom paid to the creator(s) of the malware in
order for the restriction to be removed. Some forms of ransomware encrypt files on the system’s hard drive), while some may simply lock the system and display
messages intended to coax the user into paying. Ransomware typically propagates as a trojan like a conventional computer worm, entering a system through, for
example, a downloaded file or a vulnerability in a network service. The program will then run a payload: such as one that will begin to encrypt personal files on the
hard drive. More sophisticated ransomware may hybrid-encrypt the victim’s plaintext with a random symmetric key and a fixed public key. The malware author is
the only party that knows the needed private decryption key. Some ransomware payloads do not use encryption. In these cases, the payload is simply an
application designed to restrict interaction with the system, typically by setting the Windows Shell to itself, or even modifying the master boot record and/or partition
table (which prevents the operating system from booting at all until it is repaired)
Ransomware payloads utilize elements of scareware to extort money from the system’s user. The payload may, for example, display notices purportedly issued by

companies or law enforcement agencies which falsely claim that the system had been used for illegal activities, or contains illegal content such as pornography and
pirated software or media. Some ransomware payloads imitate Windows’ product activation notices, falsely claiming that their computer’s Windows installation is
counterfeit or requires re-activation. These tactics coax the user into paying the malware’s author to remove the ransomware, either by supplying a program which
can decrypt the files, or by sending an unlock code that undoes the changes the payload has made.
Incorrect Answers:
A: In computers, a Trojan horse is a program in which malicious or harmful code is contained inside apparently harmless programming or data in such a way that it
can get control and do its chosen form of damage, such as ruining the file allocation table on your hard disk. In one celebrated case, a Trojan horse was a program
that was supposed to find and destroy computer viruses. A Trojan horse may be widely redistributed as part of a computer virus. A Trojan is not what is being
described in this question. Therefore, this answer is incorrect.
B: Spyware is software that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge and that may send such information to another
entity without the consumer’s consent, or that asserts control over a computer without the consumer’s knowledge. “Spyware” is mostly classified into four types:
system monitors, trojans, adware, and tracking cookies. Spyware is mostly used for the purposes of tracking and storing Internet users’ movements on the Web
and serving up pop-up ads to Internet users. Whenever spyware is used for malicious purposes, its presence is typically hidden from the user and can be difficult to
detect. Some spyware, such as keyloggers, may be installed by the owner of a shared, corporate, or public computer intentionally in order to monitor users.
Spyware is not what is described in this question. Therefore, this answer is incorrect.
C: Adware is free software that is supported by advertisements. Common adware programs are toolbars that sit on your desktop or work in conjunction with your
Web browser. They include features like advanced searching of the Web or your hard drive and better organization of your bookmarks and shortcuts. Adware can
also be more advanced programs such as games or utilities. They are free to use, but require you to watch advertisements as long as the programs are open.
Since the ads often allow you to click to a Web site, adware typically requires an active Internet connection to run. Adware is not what is described in this question.
Therefore, this answer is incorrect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ransomware
http://techterms.com/definition/adware
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/Trojan-horse