>I do wonder if ransomware is (in a strange way) a(n illegal) free-market response to what is perceived to be an under-valuation of tech skills - aggrieved peop

>I do wonder if ransomware is (in a strange way) a(n illegal) free-market response to what is perceived to be an under-valuation of tech skills - aggrieved people who can carry out attacks and gain access to deploy ransomware are likely to be able to earn more through this route, even factoring in their "risk of being caught". Almost all crime syndicates work this way. There is a balancing point where the crime you do does enough damage to make you money, but not so much money that the government dedicates elites to come knocking on your door. What DarkSide did was veer too far in the wrong direction.