[2015-10-28] FBI: we cannot save data encrypted by malware

[milaliss]

FBI: we cannot save data encrypted by malware
In case of ransomware attack, Americans are encouraged to pay bitcoin ransom but report everything to the FBI.
http://www.coinfox.info/news/3509-fbi-we-cannot-save-encrypted-data-if-it-is-attacked-by-malware

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[RustyNomad]

It must be one of the worst feelings to be hit by something like this and even more so if you do not have any backups.

Only solution for this kind of attack is proper backups which are made on a daily basis and to also to different locations/media so that you can always fall back and only lose a day or two at most.

One good thing this article highlights is the fact that the FBI cannot do anything about this meaning that they are not at the point yet where they are able to decrypt and or break the encryption being used. If they had backdoors into the encryption being used then this would not have been a problem for them. But then again, if they could, would we even know about it?

[pawel7777]

The same story is on CoinDesk:
http://www.coindesk.com/fbi-malware-victims-should-pay-bitcoin-ransoms/

According to Security Ledger, Acting Special Agent Joseph Bonavolonta, who oversees the bureau's Boston office, told C-level executives at Wednesday's Cyber Security Summit they'd be better off stumping up the ransom.

I'm bit shocked to see this. I always thought encouraging to pay ransom is something that police/FBI is not allowed to say, even if it is indeed the best option for the victim.

[harrymmmm]

The same story is on CoinDesk:
http://www.coindesk.com/fbi-malware-victims-should-pay-bitcoin-ransoms/

According to Security Ledger, Acting Special Agent Joseph Bonavolonta, who oversees the bureau's Boston office, told C-level executives at Wednesday's Cyber Security Summit they'd be better off stumping up the ransom.

I'm bit shocked to see this. I always thought encouraging to pay ransom is something that police/FBI is not allowed to say, even if it is indeed the best option for the victim.

It's just like not negotiating with terrorists. Stuff that Hollywood movies and politicians like to say.
That doesn't mean there's more than a tiny scrap of truth to it, of course.

In the real world, they'll do whatever is best for them at the time. If negotiating with a terrorist, or paying a ransom is best, it gets done that way.
'Best' includes the longer term outcome of catching the perp of course.