Everyone from cybercriminals to government agencies can attempt to monitor and access your data on the internet. To protect yourself, you need a virtual private network (VPN), which encrypts data sent from your computer to the internet. However, not all VPNs are created equal.

Similar to the shakedowns you see in mob movies where innocent shop owners are forced to pay “protection money,” deploying ransomware is a means of extortion. Computer hackers install it on your network to seize control of your company’s precious confidential data, then demand payment for its safe return.