Students Say They'd Only Pay Ransomware Operators About $50

Cash-strapped students say they'd only pay ransomware operators, on average, about $50 to recover access to documents or private services such as dating sites or bank accounts, according to a new report by Webroot. However, the survey notes, these students' reported threshold is strikingly lower than what most ransomware victims usually pay: between $500 to $1,000.

"We've also seen demands on individuals for upwards of $2,000," said Tyler Moffitt, senior threat research analyst at Webroot. "While respondents claim they would never pay even close to that amount, it's much easier said than done."

Students on average said they'd pay $52 to retrieve a term paper; $86 for private photos; $78 to secure access to a banking log-in; and $29 for a dating profile. 

Only 56% of respondents said they have a security solution installed on their computer; 34% on their mobile devices. When asked why not, 18% said it wasn't needed, and 15% said because it was too expensive.

For more information, visit Webroot.com/us/en/.