In a leakware attack , malware exfiltrates sensitive host data either to the attacker or alternatively , to remote instances of the malware , and the attacker threatens to publish the victim 's data .
A ransom is paid .
In a leakware attack , malware exfiltrates sensitive host data either to the attacker or alternatively , to remote instances of the malware , and the attacker threatens to publish the victim 's data unless a ransom is paid .