Ransomware is a type of malware that prevents or limits users from accessing their system and forces its victims to pay the ransom through certain online payment methods to grant access back into their systems. On the other hand, crypto-ransomware, a specific ransomware, locks up affected systems and encrypts key files found on the systems hard drive. It was determined that Cryptolocker, a variant of crypto-ransomware, was able to extort USD 10,000,000 from victims until authorities disrupted the source in May 2014.
