The WannaCry Ransomware meme is based on the massive May 2017 worldwide cyberattack that targeted computers running Microsoft Windows. The distinctive red-and-white window notifying users that their files were encrypted and demanding a Bitcoin ransom became an instant visual shorthand for digital disaster. In meme culture, the template is used ironically to describe situations where someone is held hostage by minor inconveniences, or as a commentary on IT security failures. It remains a staple in tech communities to represent the ultimate computer nightmare and the anxiety of sudden data loss.