What is the main characteristic of ransomware?

The main characteristic of ransomware is that it restricts user access until a ransom is paid. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts files or locks users out of their systems, preventing access to critical data or functionalities. Once the system is compromised, the attackers typically demand a ransom payment in exchange for a decryption key or access restoration. This method leverages the urgency and necessity of data recovery to impose financial pressure on the victim, making it a highly effective form of cyber extortion.

The other options, while related to software and data management, do not accurately describe ransomware. Enhancing system performance is not a goal of ransomware; in fact, it often causes significant disruption. Improving data encryption is misleading, as ransomware uses encryption methods not for security but to hold data hostage. Providing system backups is contrary to the nature of ransomware, as the attack is designed to prevent access to backups or corrupt them alongside the original data. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why the restriction of user access is the defining trait of ransomware.