Ransomware is best described as what?

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Ransomware is a form of malware that, once it infects a computer, encrypts files or locks the device so you can’t access your data. The attacker then demands payment, typically in cryptocurrency, to provide a decryption key or restore access. That description fits best because it focuses on the malicious software itself and the coercive payment demand to regain control of data. The other options describe something different: antivirus software is a protective tool, not the threat; a phishing email with a malicious link is a method attackers use to deliver malware, not the malware itself; a cloud backup service is a legitimate data protection solution, not a threat. In practice, protections include reliable backups, segmentation, and incident response to avoid paying and to recover quickly.