That I pulled out of the article that simplifies it in a nutshell. My feeling is companies or governments that pay off these ransomware attacks are basically funding future attacks. It should be internationally illegal to pay companies like this, no matter the consequences for the good of all.

Here are the two paragraphs pulled from the linked article:

It was hit by what Colonial called a ransomware attack, in which hackers typically lock up computer systems by encrypting data and paralyzing networks, then demand a large ransom to unscramble it.

Colonial didn't say whether it has paid or was negotiating a ransom, and DarkSide neither announced the attack on its dark web site nor responded to an Associated Press reporter's queries. The lack of acknowledgment usually indicates a victim is either negotiating or has paid.
[Post edited by Hoakie82 at 05/11/2021 06:37AM]