Where does “cryptolocker” come from?

cryptolocker (English) comes from English locker, from English Lock, from Middle English lok, from Old English lāc, from Proto-West Germanic laik, from Proto-Germanic laikaz, from Proto-Indo-European leyǵ- — to bind, tie.

cryptolocker (English): A form of ransomware that encrypts the victim's files and extorts money for the secret key required to decrypt them

Definitions

  1. A form of ransomware that encrypts the victim's files and extorts money for the secret key required to decrypt them

Ancestry of “cryptolocker”, step by step

cryptolocker traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English locker

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlockerA type of storage compartment with a lock,...
2EnglishLockfrom the surname
3Middle Englishloklock
4Old Englishlācplay, sport, strife, battle, sacrifice, offering,...
5Proto-West Germaniclaikgame, sport
6Proto-Germaniclaikazdance; game, sport; hymn
7Proto-Indo-Europeanleyǵ-to bind, tie

via English crypto

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcryptoA secret supporter or follower; Cryptography;...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European leyǵ-