Economists have figured out how to extract the most profit from ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that impairs the functionality of a computer (for example, by encrypting files on the hard drive), and then demands the victim pay a ransom in order to return their system to normal. It’s frighteningly common. The term ‘Ransomware’ first entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2012. We have seen several ugly and dangerous permutations of it, including CryptoLocker, CryptoWall, and most recently, WannaCry. But it’s not the cash cow you probably think it is. Take WannaCry, for example. This specimen devastated the UK National Health Service, as well as countless private sector businesses, like…

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