* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog)
* [Palo Alto Networks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/corporate/)
* [Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/category/events/)
* FTC Shines a Needed Spotl...

# FTC Shines a Needed Spotlight on Ransomware Prevention

[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2F2016%2F09%2Fftc-shines-a-needed-spotlight-on-ransomware-prevention%2F)  
[](https://twitter.com/share?text=FTC+Shines+a+Needed+Spotlight+on+Ransomware+Prevention&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2F2016%2F09%2Fftc-shines-a-needed-spotlight-on-ransomware-prevention%2F)  
[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2F2016%2F09%2Fftc-shines-a-needed-spotlight-on-ransomware-prevention%2F&title=FTC+Shines+a+Needed+Spotlight+on+Ransomware+Prevention&summary=&source=)  
[](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2016/09/ftc-shines-a-needed-spotlight-on-ransomware-prevention/&ts=markdown)  
\[\](mailto:?subject=FTC Shines a Needed Spotlight on Ransomware Prevention)  
Link copied  
By [Sean Morgan](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/sean-morgan/?ts=markdown "Posts by Sean Morgan")  
Sep 20, 2016  
3 minutes  
[Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/events/?ts=markdown)  
[Government](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/government/?ts=markdown)  
[CryptoWall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/cryptowall/?ts=markdown)  
[Cyber Threat Alliance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/cyber-threat-alliance/?ts=markdown)  
[federal trade commission](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/federal-trade-commission/?ts=markdown)  
[ransomware](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/ransomware/?ts=markdown)

This month the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held its latest Fall Technology Series workshop on the increasingly prevalent threat of ransomware. The workshop was kicked off by FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, who [provided](https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/983593/ramirez_-_ransomware_remarks_9-7-16.pdf) insight into the organization's increasing actions to enforce data security and consumer privacy, along with their new focus on ransomware. The FTC's efforts represent the latest example of a growing recognition across the U.S. government of the significance of the ransomware threat. We applaud the Commission for fostering a dialogue that brings transparency into the FTC's logic and priorities in this area, as well as for their role in generating awareness on ways to mitigate and prevent ransomware.

In July, the U.S. government issued an [interagency report](https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ccips/file/872771/download) offering technical guidance to critical infrastructure entities, especially small and medium-sized businesses, about how to deal with ransomware attacks. A number of federal departments have also issued sector-specific guidance on ransomware, such as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

While ransomware may be on the rise, the good news is there are best practices that organizations can adopt to prevent these attacks. Our Unit 42 threat intelligence team released a report this May on the history and future of [ransomware as a criminal business model](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2016/05/unit-42-ransomware-trends/) and techniques to prevent these attacks. We have also provided recommendations on steps that various sectors---from [government](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2016/05/best-practices-preventing-ransomware-in-government-networks/) to [healthcare](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2016/05/tips-to-prevent-ransomware-in-healthcare-environments/) to [financial services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2016/05/financial-services-prevent-ransomware/)---can take to protect their networks from ransomware.

As a founding member of the [Cyber Threat Alliance (CTA)](http://cyberthreatalliance.org/), Palo Alto Networks has partnered with other security companies to expose and dismantle lucrative ransomware campaigns. In 2015, the CTA released a report on a $300 million ransomware campaign called [CryptoWall v3](http://cyberthreatalliance.org/cryptowall-report.pdf), coordinating closely to share threat indicators with U.S. and international government and law enforcement stakeholders and enable those entities to deploy preventive countermeasures to their networks. Government partners subsequently shared additional CryptoWall v3 campaign infrastructure information with Palo Alto Networks and the CTA, establishing a strong model for the type of two-way sharing of threat information needed to combat and prevent persistent threats, like ransomware, for the benefit of the broader cybersecurity ecosystem.

Ransomware, like other increasingly destructive tactics that target hardware and industrial control systems, reinforces why a proactive, prevention-oriented defense is so critical to addressing the modern cyberthreat environment. A detection and response-focused strategy alone is no longer acceptable. Only by implementing a prevention-focused approach can organizations protect networks from the latest evolving threat.

[**Learn more about how to protect yourself against ransomware**](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/solutions/initiatives/ransomware)

*** ** * ** ***

## Related Blogs

### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Government](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/government/?ts=markdown), [Public Sector](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/public-sector/?ts=markdown)

[#### The Evolving Threat of Ransomware --- A Call to Action for Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2024/04/the-evolving-threat-of-ransomware/)

### [Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cybersecurity-2/?ts=markdown), [Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/events/?ts=markdown), [Government](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/government/?ts=markdown), [Points of View](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/points-of-view/?ts=markdown), [Public Sector](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/public-sector/?ts=markdown)

[#### Operationalizing the Call for a Cybersecurity Moonshot](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2018/04/gov-operationalizing-call-cybersecurity-moonshot/)

### [Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/events/?ts=markdown), [Government](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/government/?ts=markdown), [Ignite](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ignite/?ts=markdown), [Public Sector](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/public-sector/?ts=markdown)

[#### Call for a "Cybersecurity Moonshot" Dominates First-Ever Federal Ignite](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2017/10/gov-call-cybersecurity-moonshot-dominates-first-ever-federal-ignite/)

### [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Government](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/government/?ts=markdown), [Public Sector](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/public-sector/?ts=markdown), [Zero Trust Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/zero-trust-security/?ts=markdown)

[#### Empowering the RAF Association with Next-Generation Cyber Resilience](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2026/02/raf-association-next-generation-cyber-resilience/)

### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Government](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/government/?ts=markdown), [Points of View](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/points-of-view/?ts=markdown), [Predictions](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/predictions/?ts=markdown), [Public Sector](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/public-sector/?ts=markdown)

[#### 2026 Public Sector Cyber Outlook: Identity, AI and the Fight for Trust](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2026/01/public-sector-cyber-outlook/)

### [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Government](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/government/?ts=markdown), [Points of View](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/points-of-view/?ts=markdown), [Public Sector](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/public-sector/?ts=markdown)

[#### Bridging Cybersecurity and AI](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2026/01/bridging-cybersecurity-and-ai/)

### Subscribe to the Blog!

Sign up to receive must-read articles, Playbooks of the Week, new feature announcements, and more.
![spinner](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/wp-content/themes/panwblog2023/dist/images/ajax-loader.gif) Sign up  
Please enter a valid email.  
By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown). Please look for a confirmation email from us. If you don't receive it in the next 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.  
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply.  
{#footer} {#footer}

## Products and Services

* [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown)

* [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security/secure-ai-by-design?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown)

* [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown)

* [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown)

* [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown)

* [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown)

* [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown)

* [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown)

* [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown)

* [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown)

* [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown)

* [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)

* [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown)

* [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown)

* [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown)

* [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown)

* [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown)

## Company

* [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown)
* [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/)
* [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown)
* [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown)
* [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown)
* [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown)
* [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown)

## Popular Links

* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown)
* [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown)
* [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown)
* [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown)
* [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center)
* [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown)
* [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown)
* [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown)
* [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown)
* [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd)
  ![PAN logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg)
* [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown)
* [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown)
* [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown)
* [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown)

Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved

* [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks)
* [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown)
* [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/)
* [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks)
* [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks)
* EN  
  Select your language