Chances are you’ve been warned never to download files or click on links from unknown senders. This is, in part, because of the prevalence of ransomware, a type of malware that denies you access to your data with the (often false) promise that the data will be restored in exchange for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
There are a few ways ransomware can infect a device. Unsuspecting users might download and install ransomware when they click on links, visit web pages, or download files, applications, or web programs that are infected with malicious code. These links and files can be found in phishing emails, infected email attachments, on social media, in malvertising and infected web pop-ups, and more.