FBI Director Wray urges companies to stop paying ransoms to hackers

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray prepares to testify before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2021. Sarah Silbiger/Pool via REUTERS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - FBI Director Chris Wray on Wednesday pleaded with public companies and other hacking victims to avoid paying ransom, saying he fears it will only embolden cyber criminals to ramp up future attacks.

"In general, we would discourage paying the ransom because it encourages more of these attacks, and frankly, there is no guarantee whatsoever that you are going to get your data back," Wray testified before a U.S. Senate appropriations panel.