A ransomware attack! All files encrypted? Should you pay? Or you shouldn’t? Well, initially, when the ransomware threats started emerging, people couldn’t assess the damage these will do. But as the number of attacks increased and the money exchanged, it became apparent that people had to pay to get their data back.
Experts have reported that many times the amount paid is received by the attackers, but the files were never 100% recovered. So the first thing you should understand is that do not pay the attacker at any cost. Recent researches have proven that people affected by these cyber-attacks have become stronger and safer in terms of their things and belongings.
Firstly, it is not advisable to pay because paying doesn’t guarantee that you will recover the data in the next two minutes or so. Why? Because in many cases, the malware used backfires and is not easy to decrypt. How can you trust the bad guys to do a good deed? What is the guarantee that they will decrypt the files and return them safely?
Secondly, once you agree to pay, you will become an easy target for them to strike again. The attackers may feel that they can suck money out of your business easily because you need the files and you have no other way of retrieving them. So if you paid, the next time they might come up with a bigger price and more problems.
Next, it is also a possibility that you will start thinking of upgrading your security system and guarding your data like a lioness guarding its cubs. You will update your safety walls too. Unless and until, people who are attacked by ransomware they do not take the security of their files seriously they will never understand how big this threat has become to all businesses.
Moreover, according to authorities, you only pay if you have no backup data, no USB drive, no other ways of recovery. You pay only when losing your data will heavily affect your business.
Morally, if you decided to pay, you are aiding the attacker and not stopping it. By giving up, you let the ransomware people bully anyone they want to. It is difficult but extremely important to know that while you agree to pay, you are aiding the criminals. They will think that you are an easy target, but also you have loads of cash to throw around to get out of trouble.
So paying or not paying is not as simple as ABC, but it can only be decided if you as an organization head knew what you wanted. As long as you know what your choices are and how you can manage your work without any glitches means that your approach is good. Whatever you do, consult the authorities and your IT department for a better approach in making the payment or not.
