Incidents of ransomware attacks are increasing with one of the biggest cases last year in Malaysia involving RapidKL. Hackers install this ransomware on the attacked system before locking access to important data. Access will only be returned after the ransom is paid usually in cryptocurrency. Recently the United States and member countries of the International Anti-Ransomware Initiative (CRI) are determined to no longer pay ransoms to hackers.
CRI hopes that by refusing to pay the ransom, it will make ransomware attacks unprofitable for hacker groups. In addition, CRI member countries will share the latest information and techniques to prevent ransomware attacks from occurring. Help will also be given to members when needed.
A blacklist of crypto wallets used by hackers will also be created to track the movement of money and block transactions with the platform if a ransom is paid. Two platforms that share data on hacker group operations will also be launched. One is controlled by Lithuania while the other by Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
CRI member countries are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, and EU.