Although ransomware took a backseat to other attack vectors in 2018, the threat has regained momentum this year. The most recent high-profile ransomware attack occurred 20 miles from my home, on the city government of Baltimore, on May 7. Baltimore was attacked by a ransomware strain known as RobinHood, and attackers demanded approximately $100,000 in exchange for the digital keys that would restore the city's systems and access to data. To date, Baltimore has refused to pay the ransom. We are now three weeks into the attack; significant disruptions continue to occur and are costing the city dearly in financial and reputational damages.
Ransomware sets the stage for a great debate on moral versus practical dilemmas. This recent surge of ransomware attacks raises the question: Is your local government next? And if you are in a position of power, will you pay the ransom?
To Pay or Not to Pay — That Is the Question!Whether a city pays ransomware demands depends on many factors. It's not an easy question to answer, and whatever side you are on will have a sharp opposing view. Before making a decision, however, it's vital to examine your response through both a moral and a practical lens.
Morally, the most common, quick, and easy answer is "no." Don't pay the ransom because it only serves to reinforce attacker behavior. I appreciate this angle. It generally has been the US view on ransom demands involving hostage captivity, though the government has paid a ransom to free hostages in some situations. OK, I kn ..
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