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A comment on University pays $20,000 to ransomware hackers. Parent comment

Re:University pays $20,000 to ransomware hackers by mapt on Friday June 10, 2016 @03:44AM (#11874828)
... under duress.

That's why it's termed 'ransom'. Because people who don't pay, have things taken from them. You don't really get to condemn ransom payers on ethical grounds without being an asshole.

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Re:University pays $20,000 to ransomware hackers by kwhitefoot on Friday June 10, 2016 @08:42AM (#11875936)
Of course one does!

Paying a ransom encourages the criminal behaviour; it therefore negatively affects all potential victims by making them more likely to become actual victims.

Also, in some jurisdictions paying a ransom is actually a criminal offence so one could end up causing further negative consequences for your family, friend, colleagues, or the institution you work for.

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