61 ms·

That's an accurate interpretation of what I'm saying. I don't think it's particularly bold. I don't have any hard evidence but I'm sure you could find some. I

That's an accurate interpretation of what I'm saying. I don't think it's particularly bold. I don't have any hard evidence but I'm sure you could find some. I certainly don't remember ransomware attacks being very prevalent prior to last decade. They all seem to request cryptocurrencies (I can tell you're a coin head because you refer to them simply as crypto). Without cryptocurrencies ransomeware would largely go away. Sure there'd still be cybercrime, hacking, data breeches etc...

AtNightWeCode 5y ago
Extortion have been around for ages. There have been many payment methods used for it on the Internet. Prepaid credit cards, expensive phone numbers, gift cards, mobile refills, cash to private post boxes, bank accounts in sketchy countries and so on. But sure, cryptocurrencies makes it easier.
aksss 5y ago
We paid a ransom with something you could buy from Walmart, I think they were called green cards or something (not to be confused with work permits). That was before crypto got huge but I think Bitcoin was around just not big yet. The cards at Walmart were preferred because at the time they were as good as anonymous cash and very easy for businesses to access. I remember that Walmart or the govt or both made some change where these didn’t work the same way and lost their shine for ransom payments. Thin on details but the as I recall the options for paying ransoms easily prior to crypto were tightening up. That said, I’m 100% against the idea of fighting crypto to solve this problem. The liberty of humanity needs anonymous cash despite the risks that come with it. Better to address these problems on the data security and resiliency front.
tacLog 5y ago
I have never been called a coin head before. It feels interesting, because on one hand I see what people are trying to accomplish with crypto, but generally I am against the current solutions because of the massive climate impact of proof of work algorithms. Judge me how you will, however, I do think I see your point that crypto might be contributing to this new form of extorsion. I was only trying to get more detail. Which has now been provided.

AtNightWeCode 5y ago

Extortion have been around for ages. There have been many payment methods used for it on the Internet. Prepaid credit cards, expensive phone numbers, gift cards, mobile refills, cash to private post boxes, bank accounts in sketchy countries and so on. But sure, cryptocurrencies makes it easier.

aksss 5y ago

We paid a ransom with something you could buy from Walmart, I think they were called green cards or something (not to be confused with work permits). That was before crypto got huge but I think Bitcoin was around just not big yet. The cards at Walmart were preferred because at the time they were as good as anonymous cash and very easy for businesses to access. I remember that Walmart or the govt or both made some change where these didn’t work the same way and lost their shine for ransom payments. Thin on details but the as I recall the options for paying ransoms easily prior to crypto were tightening up. That said, I’m 100% against the idea of fighting crypto to solve this problem. The liberty of humanity needs anonymous cash despite the risks that come with it. Better to address these problems on the data security and resiliency front.

tacLog 5y ago

I have never been called a coin head before. It feels interesting, because on one hand I see what people are trying to accomplish with crypto, but generally I am against the current solutions because of the massive climate impact of proof of work algorithms. Judge me how you will, however, I do think I see your point that crypto might be contributing to this new form of extorsion. I was only trying to get more detail. Which has now been provided.