This kind of attack is best known as a Ransomware attack. Ransomware attacks, if allowed to gain access to an IT
environment, could shut down an organization or deny access to mission critical
data and applications. Ransomware viruses are introduced into the servers and
end up encrypting data and demands ransom for its release.
An example of a
known Ransomware virus is Samas. Samas exploits known vulnerabilities and then
encrypts hundreds of different file types. Samas and other forms of Ransomware
demands payments in bitcoins so that data can be decrypted.
