The industry has been discussing ransomware pretty heavily now for the last few months. It is very important for organizations, as well as individuals, to be educated on all the different types of malware threats out there. It is just as important for everyone to understand how to protect their organization and their data, as well as the appropriate steps to take if an attack happens. The one item that really hasn’t had much discussion is whether or not if you become a victim of a ransomware attack, do you report it?
Victims of ransomware have a lot to deal with. After they’ve recovered from the shock of losing access to files, there’s the decision on whether to pay the ransom or not. Then, the victims are left worried about how best to clean their computer to avoid being hit by a follow-up attack. In most cases reporting any of this probably doesn’t seem high on your list, if you think about it at all.
If you do decide to report the ransomware attack, there is then the question of which organization should you contact and, frankly, would it make any difference anyway?Faced with rapidly increasing online crime, police forces and government have realized that to have any chance of containing online crime means treating it the same way as any other type of law breaking. Intelligence is needed to warn the public of attacks and evidence gathered for possible future prosecutions. Without real-time reporting, knowing what the criminals are up to and gathering evidence to shut them down becomes near impossible.
The good news is that reporting ransomware and extortion is getting easier. Recently, the FBI put out its first ever note encouraging ransomware victims to report attacks. They are requesting that ransomware victims contact their local FBI office or file a complaint with their Internet Crime Complaint Center website. You should also alert the cyber-law enforcement authorities in your city. Searching on the web or inquiring at the local police station will definitely help. You can also go to the On Guard Online website to report a ransomware attack.
The following ransomware details may be required:
- Date of Infection
- Ransomware Variant
- Victim Company Information
- How the Infection Occurred
- Requested Ransom Amount
- Actor’s Bitcoin Wallet Address
- Ransom Amount Paid
- Overall Losses Associated with a Ransomware Infection
- Victim Impact Statement
You may be asked to submit your name, address, telephone number and email in order for them to follow up with you.
I know this may seem overwhelming, the truth is that being a victim of ransomware is overwhelming. The best thing to do is to take steps to protect yourself and your organizations data. 2W Tech is an IT Consultant that specializes in Backup & Disaster Recovery and can work with your organization to ensure you are protected from outside security threats. Contact us today.
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