Ransomware: Skal vi betale løsepenger?

Key Point: Initiating a rapid evaluation by a data recovery specialist is vital to understand your options following a ransomware attack. This will help determine whether your data can be recovered without paying the ransom demanded by cybercriminals.

The Far-Reaching Impact of Ransomware

While paying a ransom to regain access to your data may seem distressing enough, the actual consequences of an attack often exceed the ransom itself. Some additional impacts include:

Loss, damage, or destruction of data.

Reduced productivity and disruption of operations.

Intensive forensic investigations.

The cost of recovering or replacing compromised systems.

Damage to your organization’s reputation.

Training employees to prevent future attacks.

Given these factors, it’s no surprise that ransomware damage is expected to escalate globally.

Not Paying the Ransom

Cybercrime experts widely advise against paying ransoms, as doing so can perpetuate and financially support further attacks. Despite this, some organizations may weigh the costs of the ransom against the value of their encrypted data and choose to pay.

Why Do Organizations Pay Attackers?

While refusing payment benefits the broader business community, individual companies may face scenarios where not paying results in significant losses, such as:

Permanent loss of critical data.

Regulatory fines or legal repercussions.

Threats to business continuity.

In these cases, organizations often perceive paying the ransom as the lesser of two evils. Ransom amounts are frequently calculated by attackers to be appealing—high enough for their gain but low enough to avoid steep reconstruction costs. Some attackers may even offer discounts for prompt payments within a short window of time, such as three days.

Due to the professional nature of ransomware operations, collaborating with experienced negotiators may improve outcomes. Additionally, some businesses have taken preemptive measures, including setting aside cryptocurrency reserves for potential ransom payments.

Paying Ransom Doesn’t Always Guarantee Data Recovery

It’s crucial to note that even after paying a ransom, there’s no certainty of data recovery. Victims may face double extortion, where cybercriminals threaten to publicly disclose stolen data. Cases also exist where decryption processes fail, leaving data inaccessible.

Explore All Options

In certain ransomware variants, such as "wipers," attackers may not offer contact or recovery options at all. This underscores the importance of engaging with a data recovery specialist immediately. An early assessment can reveal the extent of recoverable data without resorting to ransom payments—a step that is essential in mitigating potential damage.

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