So, one of three things would normally happen. The custodian would pay our asking price, or they would refuse to pay the ransom and just accept the loss as collateral damage. The third option was one that a number of companies have started to utilize—fighting back. They started to realize the importance of cyber security and data protection. After suffering numerous attacks that led to loss of income and reputational damage, companies started to take matters into their own hands, combating hackers themselves.
The UNEA Cyber Security Enforcement has struggled to deal with the most advanced cyber criminals though, all due to inadequate resources. Hacking was becoming considerably more complex, and the individuals with the highest and most diverse range of skill sets were choosing to play on the wrong side of the law. Working with crime syndicates was the more lucrative option. Law enforcement was left with low-level computer geeks with mediocre hacking skills, and this just wasn’t enough to efficiently deal with cyber criminals.
With our team, we were able to attack small to medium businesses. Whenever we did, the victims were provided with a few options: an opportunity to buy back their data, the chance to pay us not to sell or divulge information that would expose the vulnerabilities in their systems, or cooperate or suffer real-life consequences. Our ransomware activities went beyond the cyber world and spilled into the real world. When businesses refused to pay, we threatened to interrupt their online productivity. When we crashed their platforms and they still refused to pay, we physically paid them a visit at their places of business.
We have a customer that owns a chain of dry cleaners. The guy’s business had continued to experience a significant amount of growth over the years. Since a few of his buildings were in our jurisdiction, we were due protection fees. His business operated online services, and these could be accessed via the sat network. The services included the ability for customers to select laundry or dry-cleaning service, alterations, pick-ups, drop-offs, and the like. When he refused to pay his protection fees, we got hold of his client list of around five thousand high-profile customers. Again, we asked for our fees, and this time we asked for a ransom for his data, but he still didn’t budge. So eventually, we took down his sat-net services. When that happened, he simply changed all his domain information, restored a backup of his client data, and it was business as usual.
It was clear that the guy was as stubborn as a mule. He was of Irish descent, and was willing to deal with whatever we dished out. We even sent some of our foot soldiers to all the dry cleaners in the chain to ruffle a few feathers. A few windows were shattered and a few pieces of machinery were destroyed. Yet the guy wouldn’t budge; he simply replaced whatever we broke and claimed it on his insurance. When everything else failed, we decided to take the drama to his home. He was clever though and managed to keep his residential information unlisted. In the end, we had to beat the information out of one of his store managers.
We ended up sending goons to his house. When they got there, they opened the front door and walked into the living room, where he’d been sitting with his wife and kids. Apparently, they didn’t even have to force their way in, the front door was unlocked. . The head goon described how he sat in a leather chair next to the fireplace. The other six guys stood around the family with submachine guns and pistols in hand.
The head goon, still sat in the chair, leaned forward with his leather-gloved fingers interlocked, and started to explain the purpose of their visit.
“I’m guessing you already know why we are here. You see, my employer is a gentleman, very patient, and a reasonable person. You operate your businesses in our jurisdiction, and we have allowed you to thrive. For months now, we have given you the opportunity to pay your fees. However, you have shown us that you have no regard for the order of things. What you don’t understand is that up until this moment we have been very lenient with you. It didn’t have to come to this, you could have behaved like a professional and just paid what you owe. There are costs associated with owning businesses in the location where you operate, and that cost for you is fifteen percent every month. It was going to be twelve, but we have had to penalize you for all our trouble. I think it goes without saying that if we have another encounter, it will not be this civil. Are we on the same page here?” asked the head goon.
“Yes, we are, just don’t hurt my family,” the drycleaner responded nervously.
“Well, like I mentioned before, it didn’t have to come to this. This was your fault. Your first payment from each location is due by 5 p.m. today. Inform your managers to have the funds ready and transferred to this account number with the reference Airborne Net-Cloud services. From this point on we are your content management service, every now and then we will provide you with advertising in exchange for your monthly payment. You know, we wouldn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea. We run a reputable company, and we wouldn’t want anyone thinking we were extorting you,” said the head goon.
“Sure, no problem,” said the drycleaner.
“Well, I guess we’re done here. My
