There’s only one thing you can rely on cyber criminals for!

One group targeting another.

Threats flying back and forth.

Even promises to “help” victims caught in the middle.

At first glance, it almost feels like justice.

But here’s the reality: there’s only one thing you can reliably expect from cyber criminals – they’ll always put their own interests first.

For businesses concerned about cybersecurity, ransomware protection and data security, this latest development serves as an important reminder that trust should never be part of your incident response strategy.

When Ransomware Groups Turn on Each Other

Recently, one ransomware gang began publicly threatening a rival criminal group.

They claimed they would expose identities, leak sensitive information and even help victims recover encrypted files.

To organisations dealing with the aftermath of a ransomware attack, that might sound like an opportunity.

After all, when business-critical systems are unavailable and important data is locked, any offer of help can seem tempting.

But that’s exactly where the danger lies.

These organisations aren’t acting out of goodwill.

They’re not trying to protect businesses.

And they’re certainly not offering customer service.

Like every cyber criminal operation, they’re motivated by leverage, control and financial gain.

Why Criminal Promises Can Never Be Trusted

In this particular case, one group claimed it could help victims regain access to their encrypted data.

The problem?

There’s no guarantee they actually can.

And even if they could, you’d still be relying on a criminal organisation with absolutely no obligation to honour its promises.

That’s a dangerous position for any business to be in.

Imagine being caught between two scammers and trying to identify which one is the “trustworthy” option.

It’s not a decision anyone should have to make.

Yet organisations without proper cybersecurity measures, backups and incident response plans can find themselves facing exactly those kinds of impossible choices when a cyber attack occurs.

The Real Lesson Behind This Story

The bigger takeaway isn’t the dispute itself.

It’s what it reveals about how businesses should prepare for cyber threats.

When a ransomware attack happens, trusted support should never come from another attacker.

No matter how convincing an offer sounds, or how desperate the situation feels, involving additional cyber criminals only increases risk.

Modern ransomware attacks can have serious consequences, including:

• Loss of access to business-critical systems
• Data breaches and information theft
• Operational downtime
• Financial losses
• Reputational damage
• Regulatory and compliance concerns

When under pressure, businesses need reliable advice from cybersecurity professionals, not promises from criminals looking to profit from the situation.

How Businesses Can Protect Themselves

The most effective way to deal with ransomware isn’t after the attack.

It’s before it happens.

A strong cybersecurity strategy helps minimise risk and ensures your organisation has options if the worst occurs.

Key protections should include:

Reliable, Tested Backups

Backups remain one of the most important defences against ransomware.

However, simply having backups isn’t enough.

They should be regularly tested, secure, and accessible when needed.

Many businesses only discover backup issues after an attack has already occurred.

Proactive Monitoring

Cyber attacks rarely happen without warning signs.

Continuous monitoring can help identify suspicious activity early, allowing organisations to respond before significant damage occurs.

Early detection often makes the difference between a minor security incident and a major business disruption.

An Incident Response Plan

When an attack happens, every minute matters.

A clear response plan helps employees understand what actions to take, who to contact, and how to minimise damage.

Without a plan, businesses often lose valuable time making decisions under pressure.

Employee Cyber Security Awareness

Many cyber attacks begin with human error.

Phishing emails, malicious links and social engineering tactics remain some of the most common attack methods.

Regular staff training helps employees recognise threats before they become serious incidents.

The Importance of Trusted IT Support

Cyber attacks force organisations to make difficult decisions quickly.

The decisions made during those moments can either limit the damage or make the situation significantly worse.

That’s why having access to trusted IT professionals and cybersecurity experts is so important.

Rather than relying on attackers for solutions, businesses should have partnerships in place with organisations whose role is to defend, protect and recover systems safely.

At Zinq IT, we provide Managed IT Support, cybersecurity solutions and IT Support in Portsmouth designed to help businesses reduce risk and build resilience against modern cyber threats.

Whether you’re reviewing your backup strategy, strengthening your cybersecurity posture or creating a ransomware response plan, having the right support in place can make all the difference.

Don’t Wait Until You Need a Recovery Plan

The best time to prepare for a cyber attack is before one happens.

With ransomware attacks continuing to evolve, every organisation should understand how it would respond in a worst-case scenario.

If you’re not completely confident in your current cybersecurity strategy, now is the time to review it.

Our team provides expert IT Services in Portsmouth, cybersecurity guidance and Managed IT Support to help businesses stay protected, prepared and resilient.

Get in touch with Zinq IT to discuss how we can help strengthen your cyber security and reduce your exposure to ransomware threats.