In 2016, the average ransom demand to free computers hit with the infection rose to US$1,077, up from $294 the year before. Ransomware is notorious for taking over computers, and essentially holding them hostage. The malicious coding encrypts all the data inside, and then demands a fee, usually in bitcoin, in exchange for releasing the machine. The figure jumped by 36 percent from the year prior, according to security firm Symantec. Consumers made up 69 percent of all ransomware infections, with the remainder targeting enterprises.”]