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FBI Softens Stance On Ransomware: It's (Sort Of) Okay To Pay Off Crims To Get Your Data Back

posted by Fnord666 on Saturday October 05 2019, @02:24PM   Printer-friendly
from the risk-versus-gain dept.

Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:

The FBI is easing up a bit on its hardline stance against paying ransomware demands.

The Bureau has posted an updated version of the guidance it offers for companies on how to handle ransomware demands with a section discussing the option of paying the hackers to get data decrypted.

In short, the FBI still says that companies should not cave to hacker demands and pay to have their data unlocked, but the bureau acknowledges that paying is an option.

"Paying ransoms emboldens criminals to target other organizations and provides an alluring and lucrative enterprise to other criminals," the FBI's guidance reads.

"However, the FBI understands that when businesses are faced with an inability to function, executives will evaluate all options to protect their shareholders, employees, and customers."

[...] In other words; it's not advisable to pay ransomware demands, but you won't get in any trouble if you do.

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  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by takyon on Saturday October 05 2019, @03:07PM (6 children)

    by takyon (881) <takyonNO@SPAMsoylentnews.org> on Saturday October 05 2019, @03:07PM (#903091) Journal

    FBI: "It's totally cool, dawg. Pay money to terrorists. We won't bag you and put your name on our '50 terrorists we caught this year' list."

    --
    [SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
    Starting Score:    1  point
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  • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Saturday October 05 2019, @04:23PM (5 children)

    by RS3 (6367) on Saturday October 05 2019, @04:23PM (#903112)

    I'm not sure if this is what you're implying, but your post made me think that the FBI is encouraging people to contribute to, financially support, criminals.

    Maybe it should be a crime to run a society-critical infrastructure organization and NOT have backups- data and actual systems, ready to go.

    • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Sunday October 06 2019, @02:07AM (4 children)

      by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Sunday October 06 2019, @02:07AM (#903264) Journal

      but your post made me think that the FBI is encouraging people to contribute to, financially support, criminals.

      Maybe FBI finally agreed on the level of cut they are going to receive?

      --
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford

      • (Score: 2) by bzipitidoo on Sunday October 06 2019, @02:21AM

        by bzipitidoo (4388) on Sunday October 06 2019, @02:21AM (#903265) Journal

        Maybe the Acting Director of the FBI had his computer infected with ransomware? And had to change the rules real quick so he could get his data back?

        Considering the quality and popularity of recent appointees, it could happen. Might have had to pay extra to hush up the embarrassment of this happening to the FBI, and them being unable to break the encryption.

      • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Sunday October 06 2019, @02:29AM (2 children)

        by RS3 (6367) on Sunday October 06 2019, @02:29AM (#903266)

        So maybe the FBI finally caved and joined "the family", sends out the ransomware, takes the "protection" payments, and the story is cover.

        • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Sunday October 06 2019, @04:00AM (1 child)

          by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Sunday October 06 2019, @04:00AM (#903283) Journal

          What can they do now that the prez hates them? The need some money, no?

          --
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford

          • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Monday October 07 2019, @03:16AM

            by RS3 (6367) on Monday October 07 2019, @03:16AM (#903564)

            Sell pot. I mean CBD oil. From all the gatherings. That they're not consuming. Oh, nevermind.