Payment of Ransoms Illegal

Government considers making payment of ransoms in cyber-attacks illegal.

Minister for Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil, says the federal government is considering making it illegal for companies to pay ransoms to online criminals. Medibank refused to meet a $15 million ransom demand, prompting Russian hackers to release troves of stolen customer data online. Clare O’Neil says it was the right decision and the government will consider reform to deter future cyber-attacks.