Objectives

Ransomware attacks have become a critical security threat worldwide. However, existing research on ransomware has largely ignored public opinion. This initial study identifies patterns in the American public’s support for the use of ransomware, specifically when it is framed to provide benefits to others (i.e., in-group members). Drawing on the Robin Hood decision-making literature and Moral Foundations Theory, we offer theoretical predictions regarding ransomware support.

Methods

In a survey of 1013 Americans, we embedded a split-ballot experiment in which respondents were randomly assigned to indicate their level of support or opposition to one of two sets of six ransomware scenarios. We manipulated the nationality, authority level, and political affiliation of the actors.

Results

We find that people are more supportive of ransomware use when the actors are from their own in-group, and the outcomes benefit their in-group members. Also, the more strongly participants endorsed the moral foundations of authority and harm/care, the more supportive they were of the use of ransomware that may benefit others from their in-group.

Conclusions

These findings suggest political actors may be able to generate public support for morally questionable actions by emphasizing in-group benefits and the Robin Hood nature of an attack (e.g., outcome-based morality).

中文翻译：

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勒索软件和罗宾汉效应？：关于美国人愿意支持网络勒索的实验证据

目标

勒索软件攻击已成为全球严重的安全威胁。然而，现有的关于勒索软件的研究在很大程度上忽略了公众舆论。这项初步研究确定了美国公众支持使用勒索软件的模式，特别是当它被设计为为他人（即，组内成员）提供利益时。借鉴罗宾汉决策文献和道德基础理论，我们提供有关勒索软件支持的理论预测。

方法

在对 1013 名美国人进行的一项调查中，我们嵌入了一个分票实验，在该实验中，受访者被随机分配，以表明他们对两组六种勒索软件场景之一的支持或反对程度。我们操纵了演员的国籍、权威级别和政治派别。

结果

我们发现，当参与者来自他们自己的组内时，人们更支持使用勒索软件，并且结果有利于他们的组内成员。此外，参与者越强烈地认可权威和伤害/关怀的道德基础，他们就越支持使用勒索软件，这可能会使其他人从他们的群体中受益。

结论

这些发现表明，通过强调群体内的利益和攻击的罗宾汉性质（例如，基于结果的道德），政治行为者可能能够为道德上有问题的行为赢得公众支持。