Petya malware is a type of ransomware that infects master file tables and encrypts Windows PCs, according to The Register. This strain of ransomware has taken a step further to encrypt parts of a hard drive, which blocks access to anything on that drive.
Ransomware with this disk-level encryption will cause a computer to reboot after replacing the existing master boot record. Then, the computer will display a screen masquerading as a checkdisk scan.
There have been no methods of free decryption developed for this type of ransomware as of yet, according to the report. This leaves victims with the unpalatable choices of wiping the device or paying the demanded ransom.