Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Cybersecurity Practice Test

What term describes malicious software that blocks access to a computer until a ransom is paid?

1. Adware

2. Spam

3. Malware

4. Phishing

The correct answer is: Malware

The term that describes malicious software designed to block access to a computer until a ransom is paid is ransomware, which is a specific subtype of malware. Malware is a broad category of software that is intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or network. Ransomware encrypts the victim's files, making them inaccessible, and typically demands a payment to decrypt the files and restore access. In contrast, adware is software that automatically displays or downloads advertisements when a user is online, spam refers to unsolicited and often irrelevant messages typically sent via email, and phishing is a technique used by attackers to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, usually by masquerading as a trustworthy entity. These terms refer to different types of threats and do not specifically describe the scenario of blocking access for ransom. Thus, the accurate identification of ransomware as a form of malware highlights the essential understanding of the various cybersecurity threats.