{"id":59929,"date":"2018-12-07T09:10:02","date_gmt":"2018-12-07T15:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pcmatic.com\/blog\/?p=59929"},"modified":"2018-12-07T09:15:24","modified_gmt":"2018-12-07T15:15:24","slug":"paying-ransoms-quickly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pcmatic.com\/blog\/paying-ransoms-quickly\/","title":{"rendered":"Paying Ransoms Quickly — Why It\u2019s Not Possible, or Suggested"},"content":{"rendered":"

So your security provider failed you, and you were a victim of ransomware. \u00a0What do you do now? <\/span><\/p>\n

It is likely you have a ransom note on your screen stating what you need to pay, and how to do it. \u00a0What they don\u2019t tell you is just how difficult that will be. Often times hackers will try and make it as easy as possible for you to send them money — but they also want it to remain anonymous. \u00a0Therefore, users will have to convert their dollars into a digital, non-traceable currency, like bitcoins.<\/span><\/p>\n

But How?<\/h4>\n

Do you know how to do this? \u00a0The process isn\u2019t too difficult, but it can be time consuming. \u00a0Many legitimate websites like <\/span>CoinBase<\/span><\/a>, require an authentication process. \u00a0You\u2019ll need to register, and provide your banking information for the transfer of funds. \u00a0Once the authentication process is complete, the transfer and conversion will take place. Again, this takes time. <\/span><\/p>\n

Another method would be to <\/span>find your nearest bitcoin ATM<\/span><\/a>. \u00a0This not only allows for instant conversion, but everything remains anonymous as well. \u00a0However, this comes with a significant price tag, with fees based on geographical areas. \u00a0You\u2019ll also need to determine which services are provided at the ATM, some offer only the option to buy crypto-currencies, while others allow you to also sell. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re like me, and your local bitcoin ATM only allows you to buy bitcoins, for the \u201csmall\u201d fee of 12%, you will still need to find a way to send them to the hacker. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now I\u2019m going to stop right there. \u00a0Why? Because this sounds like a ridiculous amount of work, and you\u2019re not even halfway there! \u00a0If you pay the ransom demands, you have to wait for the encryption key — assuming the cyber criminals even give it to you. \u00a0Then it becomes your job to decrypt all of the files they locked. <\/span><\/p>\n

How about instead of all this, you focus on preventing the ransomware attack and keeping timely data backups. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To actively thwart ransomware, users are encouraged to do the following: <\/span><\/h4>\n