United States

Companies and organisations that are victims of ransomware attacks shouldn’t pay hackers to unlock their data and should quickly contact law enforcement, which opens up the possibility of creative solutions, FBI Director Christopher Wray said.

‘‘It is our policy, it our guidance from the FBI, that companies should not pay the ransom,’’ Wray told the House Judiciary

Committee at a hearing yesterday.

US companies and government agencies are reeling from recent ransomware attacks that have disrupted critical services, from a major oil pipeline to a beef producer and hospitals.

The attacks have ignited a national debate over whether victims should pay ransom, which can reach millions of dollars. The White House’s National Security Council issued a statement on Thursday also saying private companies should not pay ransom.– TNS