Which term describes attackers who threaten to publish or leak data unless a payment is made?

Which term describes attackers who threaten to publish or leak data unless a payment is made?

• A. Ransomware
• B. Phishing
• C. Cyber extortion
• D. Data breach

Answer: (C)

This scenario describes cyber extortion. In cyber extortion, attackers threaten to publish or leak stolen data or disrupt services unless the victim pays a ransom. The defining element is this coercive threat to reveal information or harm operations to force payment. Ransomware, by contrast, centers on encrypting or locking the victim’s data or systems and demanding payment to restore access, not necessarily threats to leak data. A data breach is the actual unauthorized access and exposure of data, which may occur without any payment demand. Phishing is a method used to trick people into revealing credentials or data, not the extortion-based payment threat at issue here.

This scenario describes cyber extortion. In cyber extortion, attackers threaten to publish or leak stolen data or disrupt services unless the victim pays a ransom. The defining element is this coercive threat to reveal information or harm operations to force payment.

Ransomware, by contrast, centers on encrypting or locking the victim’s data or systems and demanding payment to restore access, not necessarily threats to leak data. A data breach is the actual unauthorized access and exposure of data, which may occur without any payment demand. Phishing is a method used to trick people into revealing credentials or data, not the extortion-based payment threat at issue here.