Ransomware is a critical research domain within cybersecurity, digital forensics, and socio-technical systems analysis. It investigates the technical mechanisms, propagation strategies, economic models, and societal impacts of malicious software designed to restrict access to digital assets or systems, demanding payment for their restoration. Key characteristics include the unauthorized encryption of data or system lockout, accompanied by a ransom demand, highlighting its significance as a pervasive threat demanding interdisciplinary study of its evolution, vulnerabilities, and effective mitigation strategies.