In the United States, anyone who pays ransomware ransomware faces a fine

The Treasury Department wants to cut funding to cybercriminal groups linked to nations hit by international sanctions

(photo: Getty Images) A ​​fine is being issued for those who pay ransomware ransomware ransoms. In the United States, the Department of the Treasury has issued a warning to companies, organizations and federal or local public bodies: whoever finds himself the victim of a cyber attack, which seizes his data, and pays blackmailers, will also receive a heavy penalty from Washington. The circular is dated October 1.

The department warns potential victims of ransomware attacks: ransom payments to groups of cybercriminals unknown or already known to the authorities (and possibly affected by sanctions from the United States ), can trigger hefty fines imposed by the Office for the Control of Assets Abroad (Ofac). Not only the victims of the attack end up in the crosshairs of the federal body, but also all the people who helped complete the payment. So cybersecurity companies, insurance companies, analysts investigating the attack and even the banks or financial companies through which the operation is concluded.

The Treasury Department aims to cut the legs, especially those groups of cybercriminals linked to states hit by international sanctions and using cyber attacks as a form of financing Furthermore, the payment does not ensure that the data is returned or that the victim is safe in the future, since it appears to be the weak link. Washington is therefore pushing for companies to improve their cyber defenses and make daily backups of their files.