Cyber Crime/Online Fraud

Cyber Extortion in India: How to deal with it?

LegalKart Editor
LegalKart Editor 04 min read 901 Views
Last Updated: Mar 05, 2024
Know about cyber extortion in India and learn key steps to be taken to combat it.

Cybercrime has become more sophisticated and common as technology has become more important in our lives. Cyber extortion, in particular, is becoming a bigger problem in India, where cybercriminals use a variety of methods to get people and businesses to pay them money. This blog post will explain what cyber extortion is, how it works, and what you can do to protect yourself from this type of cybercrime. By knowing how cyber extortion works and taking the right precautions, you can reduce the chance of being a victim of this kind of attack.

 

What is Cyber Extortion?

Cyber extortion is a type of cybercrime where an attacker uses threats or coercion to demand payment from an individual or organization. The attacker may use a variety of tactics to carry out their attack, including stealing sensitive data, locking down computer systems with ransomware, or launching DDoS attacks to disrupt online services. Cyber extortion can be highly lucrative for attackers, and it can cause significant harm to victims.

 

 

 

 

How Does Cyber Extortion Work?

Threats to leak private data, disable access to the internet, or destroy computer hardware are all hallmarks of cyber extortion. The attacker may employ a wide number of techniques, such as:

 

Ransomware: The attacker may employ ransomware to lock down a victim's computer system or encrypt sensitive data, making it inaccessible to the victim. The attacker will then demand payment in exchange for the decryption key or the release of the system.

 

DDoS attacks: The cybercriminal may use distributed denial of service assaults (DDoS) to overwhelm the victim's website with so much traffic that it is unreachable to its genuine visitors. The perpetrator of the attack will then make a demand for payment in exchange for putting an end to the assault.

 

Theft of sensitive data: It is possible for the attacker to take sensitive data, such as client data or financial information, and then demand a ransom from the victim if they do not agree to disclose the data.

 

Threats of violence or physical harm: Unless a ransom is paid, the assailant in some situations may threaten the victim or the victim's family with violence or other forms of bodily harm unless the ransom is paid.

 

What Steps Can You Take to Deal with Cyber Extortion?

If you are a victim of cyber extortion, it's important to take immediate action to protect yourself and minimize the damage. Here are some steps you can take:

Consult a Cyber Law expert:  CYBER LAW CONSUTATION

Do not pay the ransom:

Even while it may be tempting to pay the ransom in order to regain access to your systems or data, doing so would simply encourage the attacker to carry out their illegal acts in the future. In addition to this, there is no assurance that paying the demanded sum would result in either the recovery of your data or the restoration of your systems.

 

Contact law enforcement: If you have become a victim of cyber extortion in India, it is important to approach the enforcement authorities as soon as possible. The first step is to file a complaint with the police cybercrime cell or the nearest police station, providing as much evidence as possible, such as emails or messages sent by the extortionist. The police will conduct an investigation, and if necessary, can seek the assistance of forensic experts to gather evidence. It is important to cooperate with the police and provide any information they may require during the investigation. If the extortion involves financial transactions, the victim should also inform their bank and credit card company and take necessary steps to safeguard their accounts.

 

Disconnect from the internet: If your computer systems have been affected with malware or ransomware, disconnect them immediately from the internet to prevent the attacker from gaining access to your data or inflicting more damage.

 

Restore from backups: If you have backups of your data, use them to restore your systems instead of paying the ransom. Make sure to thoroughly scan your backups for malware or ransomware before restoring them.

 

Work on your cybersecurity: Take steps to improve your cybersecurity posture to prevent future attacks. This may include implementing stronger passwords, regularly updating your software, and using anti-malware software to detect and remove threats.

 

Consider cyber insurance: Cyber insurance can provide financial protection in the event of a cyber-attack. Check with your insurance provider to see if you have coverage for cyber extortion.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, cyber extortion is a substantial risk that carries the potential to have significant repercussions for organisations and individuals in India. You can lower the likelihood of becoming a victim of cyber extortion if you take preventative steps to protect yourself from becoming a victim of cybercrime. For example, you can improve your cybersecurity posture by performing regular data backups. If you do end up becoming a victim, it is imperative that you maintain your composure and take the necessary precautions to limit the extent of the harm and protect yourself from further assaults. Dont fogot to report a cyber crime on its national helpline number 1930. Keep in mind that you should never give in and pay the ransom, and you should always report the event to the authorities. You can avoid danger in a world that is becoming more digital if you keep a sharp eye out for potential threats and take preventative steps to safeguard yourself.

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