Imagine your business is locked out of its data by hackers, who then ask for a lot of money to give it back. Now, some hackers are offering to wait a bit longer for their money, similar to "buy now, pay later" deals.
They're getting tricky, allowing victims to choose: pay a fee to delay their stolen data being shared, or pay to delete the data before it goes public. The cost? It's up for negotiation, making things even more stressful.
These hackers use scary tactics, like countdown clocks on their websites showing how long until your data is shared, and labels that show who the victim is, to push you into paying.
You might think paying will fix everything. But it won't. Here's why:
Paying doesn't mean you'll get your data back or stop them from asking for more money.
By paying, you're helping fund these criminals, encouraging them to keep going.
In some places, paying these ransoms is against the law.
So, how can you protect your business?
Make sure your data is backed up regularly, so hackers can't hold it hostage.
Teach your team how to spot dangerous emails and links.
Use good security software and keep it updated.
Update your systems with the latest security fixes.
Divide your network into sections to stop malware from spreading.
Have a plan ready for what to do if you get attacked.
Paying the ransom often makes things worse. Instead, focus on preventing attacks before they happen. And if you need help with security, we're here for you.