Why do so few pay for ransomware?

Many ransomware victims choose not to pay the demanded ransom for several reasons:

1. No Guarantee of Data Recovery: There is no assurance that paying the ransom will result in the recovery of encrypted data. Some cybercriminals may not provide decryption keys even after receiving payment.

2. Ethical Concerns: Organizations may have ethical concerns about funding criminal activities through ransom payments, which could further encourage or finance future cybercrimes.

3. Legal Issues: Paying ransomware demands can violate laws and regulations in certain countries or industries. Also, some authorities discourage ransom payment, considering it as perpetuating the ransomware ecosystem.

4. Financial Impact: Even if a victim pays the ransom, there could be additional costs associated with addressing security vulnerabilities, rebuilding systems, and potentially still losing data.

5. Encouraging Future Attacks: Paying ransomware demands can encourage cybercriminals to target the same victim again or attract more attackers due to the perception of vulnerability.

6. Technical Solutions: In some cases, victims may have backups or access to decryption tools that can help recover their data without paying the ransom.

Overall, the risks and consequences associated with paying ransomware demands often outweigh the potential benefits, leading to a significant percentage of victims choosing not to pay.