Malware and extortion

A man with short dark hair and a beard is sitting on a couch, looking at a laptop. He is wearing a maroon sweatshirt and blue jeans. The room has a dark wooden wall in the background and a beige cushion on the couch. There is a notebook, some papers, and a pen on the wooden surface in front of him, and a pair of white socks is visible in the foreground.
A man with short dark hair and a beard is sitting on a couch, looking at a laptop. He is wearing a maroon sweatshirt and blue jeans. The room has a dark wooden wall in the background and a beige cushion on the couch. There is a notebook, some papers, and a pen on the wooden surface in front of him, and a pair of white socks is visible in the foreground.
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Abstract image with a light beige circle on the left and a gradient blue background.
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What is malware?

Malware (malicious software) is when a criminal puts software on one of your devices to steal information, spy on you, or cause damage, without your permission. This includes viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, adware, and ransomware, which locks or encrypts your device or data and demands payment to restore access. 

Criminals also use other forms of ransom or extortion without software, threatening to share sensitive information, images, or videos about you unless you pay or meet their demands.

Get help with malware, ransomware, or extortion now

Read our step-by-step guides to learn about, recover from, and contain malware, ransomware, and extortion threats.

  • Malware Icon

    Malicious software

    One of your devices has been infected with malicious software.

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  • Encrypting Ransomware Icon

    Encrypting ransomware

    You can use your device and see your files, but they have been encrypted and the file extensions changed.

    Read more
  • Screen-Locking Ransomware Icon

    Screen-locking ransomware

    A ransom note appears as soon as you turn on your device and you can't use the device in any other way.

    Read more
  • Content for Ransom Icon

    Content for ransom

    Someone has gained access to sensitive information about you and is trying to get you to pay (or do something) to stop them sharing it.

    Read more
  • Compromised Device Icon

    Compromised device

    You suspect your computer, phone, or tablet has been accessed or controlled by someone without your permission.

    Click Here
  • Sextortion Icon

    Sextortion (extortion or blackmail using intimate images)

    Someone threatens to share intimate images or videos of you unless you pay money or meet their demands.

    Read more
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    I'm not sure what's happened, but something isn't right

    Our free helpline helps individuals and sole traders understand, contain, and recover from cyber attacks and incidents.

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A woman with short dark hair wearing a yellow polka dot shirt and a headset, sitting at a desk looking at a laptop in an office setting.

Speak to an expert

Some cybercrime cases require a helping hand or further investigation. If you have spoken to our chatbot, read our guides, and still need more help with your issue, our chatbot can connect you to a real cybersecurity expert.

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Contact support organisations
Contact support organisations

*Please note our volunteer helpline service is currently only available if you live in the UK or USA. We aim to get back to your request within 3 days.

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If you are located in the United States, we have specific guides tailored to your region

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Our chatbot service and guides are completely free and can be accessed wherever you are in the world.

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