A former British security chief has reignited the perennial ransomware question: to pay or not to pay?
Yet Martin doesnt only advise victims to hold onto their cash.
He also wants to ban them from handing over the ransom.
Writingin todays London Times, Martin called the intervention an urgent task.
Ransomware is by far the most damaging cyber threat to most businesses right now, he said.
We have to find a way of making a ransom payments ban work.
Its a proposal thats regularly made, but rarely in such pressing circumstances.
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But is a ban the best solution?
As a result, politicians remain reluctant to prohibit the payments.
A ban could also lead victims to pay ransoms illegally.
Consequently, they could face problems with not only hackers but also the government.
Breaking the law would also create a new target for blackmail.
But not everyone shares his perspective.
Among the supporters is cybersecurity specialist anti-virus firm Emsisoft.
A blanket ban, Emsisoft argues, is the only way to quickly reduce ransomware volumes.
At this point, a ban is the only approach that is likely to work.
Kevin Beaumont, a security researcher based in the UK, echoes the sentiment.
This is a chance for world leaders to lead when others havent.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
