Security as a weapon

"Web attack extorts by encryption" is both funny and sad: funny how security is used as a weapon (your data is encrypted and help hostage until payment is made for decryption key/program). Sad how encryption isn't normal part of computer usage. (I'll be first to admit that I don't use any encryption but then again I don't have much info worth encrypting.)

Having encryption to prevent the data to be stolen but also making backups are sure ways to protect from such extortion attempts. If it can be done without much thought (in the background) won't it be even better?