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Original · left

Ransom (kidnapping)

Money demanded for the release of a captive.

First in use: the 1200s
Duplicate · right

Ransomware

Malware that encrypts a victim's files and demands payment for the key; the first, the AIDS Trojan, spread in 1989.

First in use: c. 1989

Ransom / Ransom (kidnapping) / Ransomware

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Duplicate share · 12 mo—
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Kidnappers' demands vs. encrypted hard drives.

Which meaning of Ransom is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Ransom (kidnapping) came first (the 1200s). Ransomware arrived in 1989. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Ransom (kidnapping)Ransomware
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

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The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · the 1200s

Ransom (kidnapping)

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Duplicate · c. 1989

Ransomware

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More duplicated terms

Cybersecurity