Malware & Attacks

Double Extortion

Double extortion is a ransomware tactic where attackers both encrypt and exfiltrate victim data, then threaten to publish the stolen data on a leak site if the ransom is not paid. This creates pressure on victims even if they have functional backups.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Double Extortion?

Double extortion is a ransomware tactic where attackers both encrypt and exfiltrate victim data, then threaten to publish the stolen data on a leak site if the ransom is not paid. This creates pressure on victims even if they have functional backups.

How is Double Extortion related to Ransomware?

Double Extortion and Ransomware are both key concepts in threat intelligence. Ransomware is malware that encrypts a victim's files or systems and demands payment (usually cryptocurrency) for the decryption key. Modern ransomware groups also exfiltrate data before encrypting and threaten to publish it — a tactic called double extortion.

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