Cybercriminals arguing with each other might sound like good news.
One ransomware group targeting another. Threats flying back and forth. Promises to expose identities, leak stolen data, or even help victims recover their files.
At first, it almost feels like justice.
But here’s the reality: there’s only one thing you can rely on cybercriminals for, and that’s looking after themselves.
Ransomware Groups Turning on Each Other
Recently, one ransomware group began threatening another. The group claimed it would expose the identities of its rivals, release stolen information, and even help victims recover their encrypted files.
If your business has just been hit by a ransomware attack, an offer like that might sound tempting.
After all, when your files are encrypted, your operations are disrupted, and you’re under pressure to get your business running again, any potential solution can seem worth considering.
But this is where things get dangerous.
These groups aren’t operating with any sense of fairness, accountability, or responsibility. They’re not suddenly trying to do the right thing.
They’re trying to gain leverage, create pressure, and ultimately make money.
Even when cybercriminals turn against each other, their motivation doesn’t change. It’s still about control and profit.
Don’t Trust Another Attacker to Solve Your Cyberattack
In this particular situation, one ransomware group claimed it could help victims recover their data.
The problem?
There’s no guarantee that it can or that it will.
Even if the group actually has the ability to decrypt the files, you’re still dealing with a criminal organization. It has no obligation to keep its promises, protect your information, or act in your best interests.
You could end up giving another criminal access to your systems or sensitive business information while trying to recover from the original attack.
It’s like being caught between two scammers and hoping one of them happens to be the “honest” one.
That’s not a cybersecurity strategy.
What Should You Do After a Ransomware Attack?
When your business experiences a cyberattack, you need a plan that doesn’t depend on trusting the people who attacked you or another criminal group claiming they can help.
The best approach is to have your cybersecurity protections in place before an attack happens.
That includes:
- Reliable, tested backups – Your backups should be protected from ransomware and regularly tested to make sure your data can actually be restored.
- 24/7 monitoring and threat detection – Unusual activity should be identified as early as possible, before an attacker can cause significant damage.
- Strong endpoint and network security – Your computers, servers, cloud services, and network should have appropriate security protections in place.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) – MFA can help prevent stolen passwords from becoming an easy way into your business systems.
- An incident response plan – Your team should know exactly what to do, who to contact, and how to contain an attack.
- Trusted IT and cybersecurity support – When something goes wrong, you need professionals working to protect your business, not someone trying to exploit the situation.
Don’t Wait Until a Cyberattack Happens
Cyberattacks force businesses to make important decisions under enormous pressure.
The decisions you make in those moments can either help limit the damage or make a bad situation significantly worse.
And that’s why ransomware protection isn’t something you should think about only after your files have been encrypted.
The time to prepare for a cyberattack is before one happens.
If you’re not completely confident that your business could respond effectively to ransomware or another cybersecurity incident, it’s time to create a strategy.
At Cyberworks, we help small businesses put the right security, backup, monitoring, and IT support in place before a cyberattack becomes a crisis.
Need help protecting your business? Get in touch with Cyberworks today.
