Forbes March 10, 2025
Ransomware attacks have grown in volume and sophistication over the past decade, and while exploits such as social engineering and unpatched software may facilitate an initial breach, it’s the coercive tactics that drive victims into making hasty and emotionally fraught decisions—such as paying the ransom.
Listed below are five of the most common tactics ransomware actors use to manipulate victims into complying with their extortion demands:
1. Fear And Humiliation
Fear is a powerful emotion that threat actors exploit. When a victim’s documents are encrypted, the message is often straightforward: Pay the ransom or lose your data forever. Beyond the fear of data loss, attackers also weaponize the threat of humiliation—demanding payment to prevent the exposure of sensitive information, such...
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