Can You Negotiate Ransomware

Can You Negotiate Ransomware
6 min read
16 January 2023

If your business has experienced ransomware, can you negotiate ransomware with cyber criminals?

Blog Note: The content of this post is strictly for information purposes, and we highly recommend you seek professional advice when dealing with ransomware. It can be easy to panic in the face of a ransomware attack, but it is vital to remain calm and focused to make the best decisions for your organization.

Steps To Take After a Ransomware Attack

The ransomware affected devices should be disconnected from the network as soon as possible. This should be done by your Managed IT Services provider or IT department immediately.  By doing this, you can prevent ransomware from spreading to other computers or devices.

Assess The Ransomware Damage

Understanding how ransomware operates and how to remove it requires understanding the specific type of ransomware virus that has infected your devices. By working with your Tech Support ServicesManaged Security Services, or IT department.

Employees should be informed about the ransomware attack immediately. Employees under going Cyber Security Training and Dark Web Monitoring will already be aware of this however they should be instructed not to click on suspicious links or open suspicious attachments.

The ransomware attack should be reported according to Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. In addition to increasing awareness of the ransomware attack, this might also help prevent future attacks. It is imperative to note that in some regions, business owners are legally required to report an attack such as Toronto ransomware attacks.

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Do Not Rush Ransomware Decision

Make sure you do not rush into a decision and discuss all options with your IT Support Services provider, IT Outsourcing Services provider, and IT department.

You will need to ensure your Business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) plan works properly. Prior to paying the ransom or exploring other options, carefully evaluate your options and their potential consequences.

There are other options besides paying a ransom. If you don’t have a backup, consider exploring other solutions. If you do not have backups, cybersecurity experts may be able to help you recover your data since many ransomware strains have been decrypted and keys are publicly available.

Managed IT Services Toronto will follow industry best practices and ensure you have a layer tested backup in place. If you have a tested data backup, you can answer the question “can you negotiate ransomware?” very quickly.

Payment Methods Used by Cybercriminals

Beyond encrypting data, cyber criminals use a variety of tactics. They will try to coerce victims into paying them using blackmail. It is not uncommon for cybercriminals to use several extortion tactics at the same time.

Here are some ransomware tactics used by cybercriminals and hackers after a ransomware attack:

  • Disclosure of Data Theft – The stolen data may be made publicly available if a ransom is not paid.
  • Launched DDoS Attacks – Hackers will often threaten to flood the victim’s website with traffic until paid.
  • Abnormal Printer Behavior – Hackers will print ransom notes directly in front of partners and customers.
  • Malicious Facebook Ads – Hackers will use Facebook ads to shame victims by drawing attention.
  • Clients Ransomware Anxiety – Hackers pressure victims to pressure affected companies to make payments.
  • Get Ransomware Help – Do not attempt to handle the situation on your own, get professional help.

Despite ransomware being a trend in cyberattacks, hackers are not always successful in obtaining ransom payment. This is thanks to many Managed IT Services Mississauga providers and IT Outsourcing Toronto providers that are taking proactive actions to protect clients from ransomware attacks.

Do not hesitate to seek professional assistance from a CyberSecure Canada certified provider like 365 iT SOLUTIONS.  Managed IT Services in Toronto can provide professional assistance and guidance on can you negotiate ransomware or what options do you have?

How to Perform Ransomware Negotiations

Paying a ransom or negotiating with ransomware attackers is not recommended as it encourages further attacks. This also supports cybercriminal activity.

If you pay the ransom, there is no guarantee that the hackers will provide the decryption key. When deciding whether to pay, it is imperative to weigh the risks and potential consequences carefully prior to engaging.

Cryptocurrency and encrypted communication channels are often used in ransomware attacks and payments. You should keep all communications including instructions for paying the ransom if you decide to negotiate with the cyber criminals.

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Getting the Ransomware Key

Now that you have the decryption key, you should decrypt several random files to demonstrate that the ransomware decryption key works.

Your managed IT services provider in Toronto may be able to negotiate a lower amount if the hackers have negotiated or provided decryption keys after receiving payment in the past.

Ransomware Negotiation Tips

The following tips will help you negotiate with the hackers and are forced to pay the ransom:

  1. Do not let this influence your decision based on pressure.
  2. Do not appear desperate or urgent for the decryption key.
  3. Do not disclose if you have cyber insurance.
  4. Do not pay the entire ransom upfront. Offer to pay a small portion of the ransom upfront.
  5. Offer to pay the ransom in a cryptocurrency that is less commonly used or difficult to trace.
  6. It is critical to keep in mind that attackers may have a minimum price they are willing to accept.
  7. If the attackers refuse to compromise, you may choose to walk away from the negotiation.

How Do You Prevent Ransomware Attacks

  1. Ransomware should always be prevented by taking preventative proactive measures.
  2. Regularly update software and use security software as part of a robust cybersecurity policy.
  3. Ensure employees understand the risks of ransomware and how to protect themselves.
  4. Do not open attachments or click on unfamiliar links.
  5. Ensure you have backups and a disaster recovery plan in place.
  6. Use passwords that are strong, unique, and use multi-factor authentication.
  7. Ensure you have cyber security insurance to protect against financial losses caused by ransomware attacks.

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Can you negotiate ransomware?

The answer is yes but with proper industry best practices managed IT services, you will not need to pay hackers or cybercriminals.

365 iT SOLUTIONS  is a CyberSecure Canada certified and offers many other services including Business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR)Managed Security ServicesTech Support Services, and Cloud Services.

We Make IT Simple!

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