Which of the following is a common type of cyber attack?

Ransomware attacks are a common and significant type of cyber attack. In a ransomware attack, malicious software (malware) is used to encrypt a victim's files or data, effectively locking them out of their own systems. The attackers then demand a ransom from the victim to restore access to the data. This type of attack has grown increasingly sophisticated and prevalent, targeting individuals, businesses, and even larger organizations like hospitals and governmental institutions.

Ransomware is particularly damaging due to its ability to not only compromise sensitive information but also disrupt operations completely, leading to potential financial losses and reputational damage. By making it critical for victims to recover their data, attackers exploit urgency and fear, leading many to consider paying the ransom—though this does not guarantee that access will be restored.

Phishing, while aligned with cyber threats, generally focuses on deceptive attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, rather than directly locking users out of their systems. Meanwhile, data formatting refers to preparing data for use in various contexts, and computer shutdown relates to a system's operational status rather than an attack on security or data integrity. These distinctions underscore why ransomware attacks represent a particularly prominent and harmful category of cyber threats today.