What is ransomware primarily designed to do?

Ransomware is primarily designed to encrypt files on a victim's system, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid to the attacker. This malicious software takes hold of the victim's data and essentially holds it hostage, demanding payment for the decryption key needed to restore access. The impact of ransomware can be devastating, leading to loss of data and significant disruption to business operations.

While options like stealing sensitive data or spreading viruses through a network involve malicious activities, they do not represent the core function of ransomware. Additionally, monitoring user activity without consent describes a different type of threat, typically associated with spyware rather than the primary goal of ransomware. Therefore, the central purpose of ransomware is indeed to encrypt files to hold them hostage for a ransom payment.