Professional Chinese hackers are responsible for U.S. ransomware attacks

Ransomware is a kind of cyber attack that’s growing in popularity. Here’s how it works: hackers infiltrate computers, encrypt files you want to have access to, and demand money from you to get them back via anonymous Bitcoin transactions.

Ransomware attacks are conducted by ordinary individuals with extraordinary computer skills, but recent developments suggest that hackers who may have otherwise worked for the Chinese government are turning to ransomware operations to supplement their fading income.