1. No need to stop everyone, just put a big enough dent into the activity to make it really unlikely for criminals to get paid. The biggest group we need to stop are the businesses, who are paying HUGE sums (ex. $40million by one recent company).

If we don't move strategically, this gets MUCH worse. Did you know that for a while Kidnapping was the second largest contributor to GDP for the country of Columbia (after cocaine distribution). It was because more and more ransoms were paid. The problem skyrocketed! We want to avoid that with ransomware.

1. YES, material support to the enemy does harm people. That is why it is illegal in most cases and even considered treason in war. Should people be allowed to invest in murder-for-hire crime organizations or knowingly fund terrorists that will kill women and children? We are talking about a criminal element who purposely seeks to cause harm and victimize to others.

I am doing a video series on Ransomware. Here is the first vid that talks about impacts:
Would like your thoughts. (this is a good discussion by the way!)