ransomers
Those demanding payment
Ransomers are people who hold someone or something for ransom—demanding payment for release.
The term applies to kidnappers seeking money for hostages, and increasingly to cybercriminals who encrypt victims' data and demand payment to restore access: The ransomers threatened to publish the stolen files if payment wasn't received within 48 hours.
People who seize others
- abductorsThose who take unlawfully
- captorsThose holding prisoners
- hostage-takersThose who seize captives
- blackmailersThose demanding hush money
hijackers · demanders · negotiators · ultimatum · payoff · cryptocurrency · wire transfer · deadline
Captives held for demands
- captivesPeople held by force
- targetsIntended aims or marks
- familiesRelated people living together
- corporationsLegally incorporated business entities
governments · negotiators · intermediaries · release · rescue · recovery · trauma · captivity
Organized criminal groups
- syndicatesOrganized groups sharing enterprise
- cartelsCollusive business alliances
- traffickersThose who trade illegally
- terroristsThose using violence politically
militants · pirates · organized crime · fugitives · outlaws · bandits · cells · networks
Unauthorized computer system intruders
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- encryptionConverting data into code
- decryptionConverting ciphertext to plaintext
phishing · cyberattack · data breach · lockout · cryptocurrency · dark web · exploit · vulnerability
kidnappers
People who seize others
- abductorsThose who take unlawfully
- captorsThose holding prisoners
- hostage-takersThose who seize captives
blackmailers · hijackers · demanders · negotiators · ultimatum · payoff · cryptocurrency · wire transfer · deadline · proof of life
hostages
Captives held for demands
corporations · governments · negotiators · intermediaries · release · rescue · recovery · trauma · captivity · confinement
gangs
Organized criminal groups
- syndicatesOrganized groups sharing enterprise
- cartelsCollusive business alliances
- traffickersThose who trade illegally
terrorists · militants · pirates · organized crime · fugitives · outlaws · bandits · cells · networks · operatives
hackers
Unauthorized computer system intruders
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- encryptionConverting data into code
decryption · phishing · cyberattack · data breach · lockout · cryptocurrency · dark web · exploit · vulnerability · backup
ransomersliberators
Those who free captives
rescuers · saviors · freers · emancipators · deliverers