- Aug 30, 2012
- 6,598
Ransomware – Should I pay or not
It is easy for people to say – No, do not pay ransomware. But you know better! If you are able to find a ransomware decryptor tool that unlocks your data, or you are able to manually decrypt your files or restore them from backups – great! But what if you have valuable files and data locked up, and you have no backup files?
There are statistics that say that over 50% decide to pay, whereas the rest just format their systems and restore backups or they can afford to lose the data. But this figure could be much higher as many who pay up do not want to admit that they did.
The money asked is typically in the range of USD 200-900. But there are reports that Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center paid $17000 to the hackers to get back their data!
FBI says you have a risk decision to make. Europol says – Don’t pay.
If your data is critical and you have no choice but to have access to it back, paying the ransom is the only option you have. This is the hard fact of life!
So you see, you need to take a call on it.
If you do decide to pay up, you have to remember that the cybercriminals may or may not give you a key to decrypt – although they generally do give it since they have a ‘rep to protect’.
Should I report Ransomware
Well, this is one thing I think you should definitely do. Reporting incidence of ransomware will help bring out such nefarious activities out in the public domain where security researchers can study their incidence further. Moreover, it can also help authorities crack down on the hackers.
Where do I report ransomware
If you have decided to report you ransomware case, it is commendable. Now, you should alert the cyber law enforcement authorities in your city or country. Searching on the web or enquiring at the local police station will definitely help. You can also report Ransomware to FBI, Police or appropriate authorities.
We have compiled a list of links below where you can report ransomware attacks. Depending on the country you stay, you have the following options available to report ransomware:
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is also requesting that ransomware victims contact their local FBI office or file a complaint with their Internet Crime Complaint Center website.
The following ransomware details may be required by them:
It is easy for people to say – No, do not pay ransomware. But you know better! If you are able to find a ransomware decryptor tool that unlocks your data, or you are able to manually decrypt your files or restore them from backups – great! But what if you have valuable files and data locked up, and you have no backup files?
There are statistics that say that over 50% decide to pay, whereas the rest just format their systems and restore backups or they can afford to lose the data. But this figure could be much higher as many who pay up do not want to admit that they did.
The money asked is typically in the range of USD 200-900. But there are reports that Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center paid $17000 to the hackers to get back their data!
FBI says you have a risk decision to make. Europol says – Don’t pay.
If your data is critical and you have no choice but to have access to it back, paying the ransom is the only option you have. This is the hard fact of life!
So you see, you need to take a call on it.
If you do decide to pay up, you have to remember that the cybercriminals may or may not give you a key to decrypt – although they generally do give it since they have a ‘rep to protect’.
Should I report Ransomware
Well, this is one thing I think you should definitely do. Reporting incidence of ransomware will help bring out such nefarious activities out in the public domain where security researchers can study their incidence further. Moreover, it can also help authorities crack down on the hackers.
Where do I report ransomware
If you have decided to report you ransomware case, it is commendable. Now, you should alert the cyber law enforcement authorities in your city or country. Searching on the web or enquiring at the local police station will definitely help. You can also report Ransomware to FBI, Police or appropriate authorities.
We have compiled a list of links below where you can report ransomware attacks. Depending on the country you stay, you have the following options available to report ransomware:
- In Australia, go to the SCAMwatch website
- In Canada, go to the Anti-Fraud Centre
- In France, go to the Agence Nationale de la sécurité website
- In Germany, go to the Bund.de website
- In India lodge a complaint with the cyber crime cell nearest to you.
- In Ireland, go to the An Garda Síochána website
- In New Zealand, go to the Consumer Affairs website
- In the UK, go to the Action Fraud website
- In the USA, go to the On Guard Online website.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is also requesting that ransomware victims contact their local FBI office or file a complaint with their Internet Crime Complaint Center website.
The following ransomware details may be required by them:
- Date of Infection
- Ransomware Variant
- Victim Company Information
- How the Infection Occurred
- Requested Ransom Amount
- Actor’s Bitcoin Wallet Address
- Ransom Amount Paid
- Overall Losses Associated with a Ransomware Infection
- Victim Impact Statement.
