Which type of malware is specifically designed to extort money from victims?

Ransomware is specifically designed to extort money from victims by encrypting their files or locking them out of their systems until a ransom is paid. The primary goal of ransomware is financial gain, often leveraging urgent threats to pressure victims into paying quickly. Once the malware infects a system, it typically displays a message instructing the victim on how to pay the ransom, usually in cryptocurrency, to regain access to their data.

In contrast, worms and viruses are types of malware that can replicate themselves and spread to other systems, but their primary purpose isn't financial extortion. They can cause harm or disrupt services, but not specifically to demand payment. Adware, while it may annoy users by presenting unwanted advertisements, is not focused on extorting money by incapacitating access to data or systems. It's primarily used for marketing purposes rather than outright extortion.