cryptoviral extortion

noun

A data kidnapping attack studied in the field of cryptovirology, in which malware encrypts user data and asks for payment in exchange for the decryption key.

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Meanings

nouncryptoviral extortion (uncountable)
  1. Internetuncountablecomputer securitycomputingA data kidnapping attack studied in the field of cryptovirology, in which malware encrypts user data and asks for payment in exchange for the decryption key.
Cite this entry
APA

cryptoviral extortion. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cryptoviral%20extortion

MLA

“cryptoviral extortion.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cryptoviral%20extortion. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cryptoviral extortion,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cryptoviral%20extortion.

Source: cryptoviral extortion on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.