Ransomware is malware that encrypts data and makes it inaccessible until a ransom is paid. It’s one of the most common types of cybercrime.
As ransomware and the threat of data extortion increase, more victims are turning to professional negotiators. Consultancies, cyber insurance providers, and incident response firms offer negotiating services as part of their ransomware protection offerings.
Know Your Limits
Like it or not, digital extortion remains one of the most common types of cybercrime. It can be an ingenious way for hackers to make a quick buck by threatening to reveal the source code to their nefarious app, but it can also lead to high costs and losses.
It is best to take advice from experts like Fortinet regarding a paying a ransomware payment or settlement, they will help you understand your attackers’ motivations and what they want. Seeking advice from such professionals and keeping your wits about you and maintaining composure can help ensure the negotiation goes well and you don’t make a costly mistake.
The biggest challenge in a successful ransomware deal is getting the best possible price for your data. The good news is that it can be done. Just be sure to choose the right time for the negotiation and the correct location.
A wise move is to consult a reputable, experienced expert who can advise you on the best tactics for your situation. Some experts recommend hiring a forensic investigator, IT security consultant, or both to handle the negotiations. These individuals are likely to know more about what your adversaries want and can use their experience to develop a better deal for you than you would have on your own.
Be Prepared
While paying ransoms may seem like an easy solution, it is a complicated process that takes weeks or months to resolve. Organizations must prepare themselves when negotiating with cybercriminals and understand the cost of paying a ransom.
Many law enforcement agencies warn against paying cybercriminals, fearing it will encourage further attacks. They argue that it is best to avoid paying at all costs and instead focus on restoring data and protecting sensitive information.
However, when faced with a deadline that could affect an organization’s operations, organizations often pay the ransom to prevent further damage and potential data exposure. This is a significant driver for the growing popularity of cyber liability insurance policies.
But before a cyber insurance company can help an organization negotiate with hackers, it must first assess the severity of the attack and decide if the company has enough resources to resolve the issue. This can be especially difficult for small companies without sufficient backups and those with limited technical resources.
After assessing the impact of the ransomware attack, the incident response team will begin working with their clients to determine if they can restore backups and resume normal operations. Depending on the type of data encrypted, this can take a lot of time and energy, resulting in additional stress and delays for the company.
Ask for Proof
When a business becomes a victim of ransomware, it can be devastating. It causes revenue losses, reputational damage, and legal liabilities.
It’s up to business leaders to decide whether or not to pay the ransom to recover their data and if it’s ethical for them to do so. For some businesses, paying the ransom is a no-brainer; for others, it’s a costly and dangerous choice that can negatively impact their business in the long run.
When negotiating with cybercriminals, the first thing to do is ask for proof of their claims. This will ensure that they are the person who has attacked you and have the data they claim to have.
You also want to check their reputation, as this can make them less willing to offer you a decryptor if they have a terrible track record. It’s important to know if the attacker is affiliated with a known ransomware group and if they’ve exposed victims’ data after paying them.
Fortunately, there are ways to overcome this problem and prevent your data from becoming encrypted:
- You can negotiate the ransom down as much as possible.
- You can contact law enforcement and report the attack to them.
- You can hire a cybersecurity expert to help you recover your data.
Stay Calm
When you’re dealing with cybercriminals, it can be a stressful and overwhelming time. But staying calm and composed is essential, as this will help you make the best decisions possible for your business.
Ransomware attacks are a type of cyber-extortion that involves encrypting data and demanding payment in exchange for the decryption key. They’re usually accompanied by threats of further damage or data loss, making them one of the most dangerous cyberattacks.
Depending on the specific version of ransomware, victims may be given several options to communicate with attackers. Some variants have customer service agents, while others use secure messaging systems.
Another option is to ask the criminals for proof of their demands. This can be as simple as asking them to decrypt some files before you pay their order. This will allow you to verify their claims and see if they are the ones holding your data hostage or if they have the means to restore it once you’ve paid them the ransom.
Try to negotiate the ransom amount down as much as possible because this will give you the most control over your data and the potential to get it back. However, if you choose to pay the ransom, it’s also important to understand that this will only strengthen the cybercriminals’ position and could encourage more attacks.