ABSTRACT

In recent years, a new form of cyber-extortion called ransomware is baffling the world with the speculation of connection to terrorist activities. Since cybercriminals usually demand their ransom using Bitcoin, Bitcoin has also become a part of this speculation. Unfortunately, however, all of the stories are based on anecdotal evidence. Therefore, the current study explores the dynamic properties of ransomware attacks, Bitcoin prices, and terrorist activities by connecting two opportunity-based theory frameworks: The Routine Activity Theory (RAT) and Cyber-Routine Activity Theory (Cyber-RAT). The findings of the study indicated unidirectional ties between the prevalence of ransomware and Bitcoin as well as ties between the prevalence of ransomware and terrorist activities. Several policies and prevention strategies from the overall findings of interrelated relations among three events are also presented.

摘要

近年来，一种名为勒索软件的新型网络勒索正在使世界迷惑与恐怖活动的联系。由于网络犯罪分子通常要求使用比特币赎金，因此比特币也已成为这种猜测的一部分。然而不幸的是，所有的故事都是基于轶事证据。因此，本研究通过连接两个基于机会的理论框架：例行活动理论（RAT）和网络日常活动理论（Cyber​​-RAT），探索了勒索软件攻击，比特币价格和恐怖活动的动态特性。研究结果表明，勒索软件的流行与比特币之间存在单向关系，勒索软件的流行与恐怖活动之间存在联系。