Ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly popular. If you operate a network, website, or system online, you must understand how to handle such attacks ahead of time. Read along as we discuss effective ways to manage ransomware negotiations.
How Can You Be a Victim of Ransomware Attack?
There are several ways you can fall victim to a ransomware attack. You can unknowingly download ransomware onto your systems when you visit affected websites. Cyberattackers sometimes send you infected files as attachments through various kinds of phishing.
Once ransomware downloads onto your system, it can either encrypt targeted files or lock your computer screen. When that happens, a screen lock notification displays on the computer, preventing you from using it. The information on your screen also includes how to pay the ransom successfully. And until you meet their demands, you can’t access your vital files, documents, and spreadsheets.
The 7 Effective Tips to Negotiate Ransomware Attacks
According to cybersecurity statistics, a ransomware attack is one of the most common methods adopted by cybercriminals. Negotiating ransomware attacks is a skill you must master to mitigate the risk. Since hackers target systems with sensitive information, you must thread with caution, so they don’t ruin your files.
Now, let’s discuss some helpful tips in ransomware negotiations.
1. Handle the Negotiation Like a Business Deal
It’s normal to tend to worry once you discover that cybercriminals have hacked your system and have your sensitive data. But the thing is, that’s exactly how they want you to feel so that they can feed off your emotions.
If you let your emotions overwhelm you, you could make the wrong moves in that moment of confusion. The hack is to handle it like a business transaction. Wear your thinking hat and negotiate for the best deal.
Use professional language, be respectful and leave your emotions out of it. Think up reasons that you can use to enhance your negotiation and make them see why they should accept your offer.
2. Plead You Can’t Afford the Amount They Are Demanding
Although the hackers have restricted your access to your files, they need something from you. And they stand to gain nothing if you don’t pay up.
Don’t be eager to accept their first demand. Consider the first demand as the starting price. In business transactions, the starting price is hardly the eventual price.
Instead of immediately agreeing to the amount of money they are demanding, offer to pay a lower amount. Since the hackers aren’t privy to all your financial records, they aren’t certain whether you are telling the truth about what you can afford.
Don’t keep the hackers waiting for too long. Offer to pay them a small part of the money in the guise of trying to raise the balance. This will convince them that you are willing to cooperate with them. They’ll be calmer once you make an initial deposit.
3. Ask for More Time to Pay Up
Even if you have all the money the attackers are demanding, don’t make the payment immediately. If you do that, you might give them the impression that you have a lot of money to spare, and they might ask for more.
Ask for more time, especially after you have made an initial deposit. Once agreed, the extra time will allow you to explore your other options and possibilities of recovering your data or files.
Your reason for the extra time doesn’t have to be complicated; tell them you need more time to raise the required amount. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, as that could provoke them to take drastic actions.
4. Request Proof of Life
If it were a hostage situation, you would be in your right to request proof of life, i.e., a piece of evidence showing that the abducted person is still alive. You can follow the same practices in a ransomware situation.
There’s no guarantee that your files are intact. You might make the payment and end up with empty files. Before you pay the ransom the attackers are demanding, ask them to decrypt some files to prove their ability to restore your systems and data once you make payments. If they can’t do that, don’t pay a dime.
5. Adopt a Team Approach
You need all the help you can get in handling a ransomware attack. You may not be able to make the best decisions given the circumstances, so get your team of helpers involved. Cooperate with your team to establish clear communication strategies between all internal and external bodies involved.
If you run an organization, get the necessary teams or departments on board, such as the technical department, security department, legal counsel, the board of directors, and communications department.
6. Hire a Cybersecurity Professional
Engaging hackers during ransomware negotiations can be an arduous task. Sometimes, these hackers make it even more difficult by refusing to reduce the ransom. So, if you know you can’t handle the heat, hire a cybersecurity professional to help you tackle the ransomware negotiations.
One benefit of hiring cybersecurity professionals for ransomware negotiations is that they can educate the hackers about your financial circumstances. They can also handle communications objectively without sentiments. Hence, they’ll strike the best deal for you.
7. Be Credible
Ransomware negotiations can go south in a heartbeat, especially if you try to outsmart the attackers. You must find a way to appease them and meet them halfway. They could tamper with your data if they sense that you are trying to outsmart them. After all, they have nothing to lose in doing that.
Try to establish mutual trust between you and your attackers, as this can help you maintain credibility and make it easier for both of you to find common ground. Endeavor to take the necessary steps after a ransomware attack to secure your system.
Negotiate Ransomware Attack With Confidence
Cybercriminals don’t execute ransomware attacks just for fun; they need something from you. Although you are the victim in this situation, you need to find your power and use it in your negotiations.
The idea of negotiating is to reduce the attackers’ requests, not to outsmart them. If they are asking for money, make a lower offer.
State your points objectively and convincingly. The attackers may understand your situation and accept your offer if you negotiate effectively, but it all depends on how you present your case.
