Ransomware is a malicious software that locks files or limits users to access their computer systems until a ransom payment (money) is made. Today's ransomware attacks are very complex and sophisticated threats and social engineers use multiple strategies to spread ransomware. The most common methods include spam emails, advertisement media, and exploit kits.
Social engineers were successful in infecting the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center's computer systems with ransomware. Once an employee opened a document that looked like a hospital invoice (it was a phishing scheme), it had spread rapidly into the system and took down the entire hospital network. The hospital network was down for more than a week.