Computer systems and networks provide useful information to different people around the clock. However, they often suffer from malware and cyber-attacks. Cathrine, a local internet service provider in her village, recently suffered a devastating cyberattack on her computer systems. The cyber attackers encrypted vital information and demanded that she pay a ransom for its release. As a result, Catherine lost three (3) days of business because of this cyberattack. The IT specialist diagnosed it as ransomware. Provide a detailed description of ransomware as it affected Cathrine and how it manifests.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts a victim's files, making them inaccessible, and then demands a payment, often in cryptocurrency, for their release. In Cathrine's case, the ransomware specifically encrypted her vital information, leading to a demand for ransom and causing her business to be shut down for three days.

Ransomware typically manifests by displaying a ransom note on the affected computer screen, detailing the encryption and the steps required to pay the ransom. It often spreads through phishing emails with malicious attachments, compromised websites, or by exploiting vulnerabilities in network systems to gain unauthorized access.