Lunnaavaatimuksen

Lunnaavaatimuksen, or ransom demand, is a demand for payment or other concessions issued by a person or group in exchange for releasing a person, property, or information. The term is used in contexts such as kidnapping, extortion, and cybercrime, including ransomware incidents where attackers encrypt data and demand payment to restore access or prevent disclosure.

The concept is typically associated with criminal coercion and illicit bargaining. In Finnish and international law, such demands are generally treated as extortion or coercion, and engaging in negotiations or paying a ransom can carry legal and practical risks. Authorities worldwide emphasize that paying a ransom does not guarantee the safe release or retrieval of data and may encourage further criminal activity.

In practice, a ransom demand may specify a monetary sum, a deadline, and a method of payment, and it may threaten harm, release of confidential information, or broader disclosure if demands are not met. The delivery method can vary from written communications to digital messages, and, in cybercrime, attackers often use encrypted data or leaked documents to pressure victims.

Response and prevention focus on safety, legality, and restoring control. Victims are advised to contact law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals, avoid paying the ransom when possible, and preserve evidence for investigation. In incidents such as ransomware, organizations should follow an established incident response plan, isolate affected systems, and rely on verified backups to restore operations. Preventive measures include strong access controls, regular backups, security training, and up-to-date defenses to reduce the risk of ransom demands.