To Call the Feds Or Not To Call the Feds, That Is the Question

The Biden administration is warning ransomware victims that they should alert the feds of an attack, but ransomware gangs are threatening victims that they will publish their files immediately if they contact the government. A spokesman for a prominent cybersecurity firm called the threat a sign of weakness. He also commended government efforts to interfere with the cryptocurrency exchanges the hackers rely on. The Treasury Department says that it sanctioned the Czech-based Suex exchange for helping ransomware gangs. The White House is encouraging ransomware victims to alert both the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Paying off hackers may violate U.S. sanctions, according to the DOJ.