Ransomware

Origin

ransom + -ware

Full definition of ransomware

Noun

1. (computing) Malware that holds the data of a computer user for ransom.
• 2008, Markus Jakobsson, Zulfikar Ramzan, Crimeware: Understanding New Attacks and Defenses‎, p. 375:The amount of money generated by ransomware schemes would appear to be quite small given their lack of popularity and the asking price in ransom notes...
2. (computing, derogatory) Software that is released as open source only in exchange for payment.