Ransomware is set to be a $ 1bn problem in 2016 , with attacks increasing 6,000 % this year , compared to 2015 , according to a study by IBM Security . Despite FBI recommendations that business victims contact the police , the study revealed 80 % handed over money to retrieve their data , with 50 % of those paying more than $ 10,000 and 20 % paying more than $ 40,000 . IBM estimates most ransomware nets around $ 300 per victim . " The study also found 80 % of parents feared their children 's gaming devices were being stolen .
Ransomware is set to be a $ 1bn problem in 2016 , with attacks increasing 6,000 % this year , compared to 2015 , according to a study by IBM Security . Despite FBI recommendations that business victims contact the police , the study revealed 80 % handed over money to retrieve their data , with 50 % of those paying more than $ 10,000 and 20 % paying more than $ 40,000 . IBM estimates most ransomware nets around $ 300 per victim . The study also found 80 % of parents feared their children 's gaming devices were being stolen .