• Bleys@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    Crypto also single-handedly invented ransomware. Like without Crypto, random Russian and North Korean hackers aren’t financially incentivized to target towns, hospitals, small businesses etc. There are legitimate payment processors other than just Visa.

    • Lem Jukes@sopuli.xyz
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      3 days ago

      I mean, ransomware as a thing has been around since the 90s. Crypto may have been the main factor in its skyrocketing prevalence, but it didnt “single-handedly invent” or facilitate the idea of ransomware.

      • ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        3 days ago

        Never thought about it before y’all’s discussion, but how did they take payment before crypto? Gift cards like the phone scammers?

      • Bleys@lemmy.world
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        3 days ago

        That’s a nominally correct answer at best, like the scale of ransomeware then required the target to be in physical reach so you can physically hand off cash or equivalents. North Korea couldn’t extract money from Americans so they had no incentive to do so.

        Lol at the crypto shills hiding behind that though. “it always existed so it’s ok” get out of here

        • Lem Jukes@sopuli.xyz
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          3 days ago

          I’ll take nominally correct. I’ll also take “I can’t handle being corrected so I insult people to feel better” for $200, Alex.

          • Bleys@lemmy.world
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            3 days ago

            My main point was that ransomware is massively facilitated by crypto, but you’re arguing semantics to run interference from addressing that point.

            Here’s a simple yes/no question. If crypto disappeared overnight, would the ransomware industry generate even 1% of the net income it makes now?

            • Lem Jukes@sopuli.xyz
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              2 days ago

              I genuinely do not understand why my comment has made you feel the need to repeatedly insult me. You seem to agree with my point but then continuously shit on me for seeking a state of correctness in lieu of the inaccurate hyperbole of your op.

              • Bleys@lemmy.world
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                2 days ago

                First I don’t know what insults you’re talking about, unless just the act of disagreeing with you is insulting.

                Second, I used one expression to make a point, which was that crypto is foundational to the existence of ransomware, specifically on the massive scale it exists today. And then in every subsequent comment I have explained that said point is my main argument. And yet you keep ignoring that point and instead hyper-fixate on some combination of semantic pedantry and perceived victimhood.