Can ransomware infect a GPU?

Ransomware, by its nature, is designed to encrypt files on a storage medium such as a hard drive or SSD.

A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) doesn't store files or data in the same way as these devices, so it's not a direct target for ransomware attacks.However, ransomware and other types of malware can potentially exploit a GPU in other ways. For instance, certain types of malware have been known to utilize the processing power of GPUs to mine cryptocurrencies without the user's knowledge. This is not a ransomware attack, but rather a type of cyber attack known as cryptojacking.Additionally, GPUs can be involved indirectly in a ransomware attack. If a system is compromised by ransomware, the infection can potentially impact all elements of the system, including the GPU, if it causes the system to lock up or operate inefficiently.

In summary, while a GPU itself cannot be "infected" by ransomware in the traditional sense (i.e., having its stored data encrypted), it can be affected indirectly by a ransomware attack or exploited by other types of malware. As always, maintaining strong cybersecurity practices is crucial to protect all components of a computer system.