### Comment:
Explain the concept of ransomware and how it impacts the victims.

### REPLY:
Ransomware is a highly effective tool used by cybercriminals to extort money from victims. Once a computer is infected, the ransomware encrypts all the personal files on the system, making them inaccessible to the victim. The attackers then demand a ransom payment, usually in Bitcoin, in exchange for the decryption key. If the victim refuses to pay or fails to meet the attackers' demands, they may permanently lose access to their files. This can have devastating consequences, especially for businesses that rely on critical data for their operations.