HotAir has published a story which claims, "Someone has allegedly stolen a copy of the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie," and demanded millions in BTC as ransom. The blackmailers threaten to release pieces of the film if their demand is not met.
Drip, drip, drip. The interesting part, given that we're all here to accumulate STEEM, is the impact of cryptos on crimes of extortion and blackmail:The incident also dredges up once again the ongoing debate over the problems arising from bitcoin to begin with. In the old days (as in eight years ago) the big problem with almost all forms of extortion of this type was how the criminals could get paid without being caught. Either showing up to claim a bag full of cash or having some sort of electronic transfer involving a bank could generally lead the authorities to you. Now, with bitcoin, you can launder that money pretty quickly and disappear into the ether. It almost sounds as if they could get away with it in this case.Doesn't THAT raise a host of interesting questions? "Pay me 2,000,000 STEEM or the puppy gets it!"
 | Certified Curmudgeon “The only way a society can avoid being crushed by the burden of its idiots is if the non-stupid work even harder to offset the losses of their stupid brethren.”--Carlo M. Cipolla |  |
We demand proof of puppy.
We need a picture of you, and the puppy, and a handwritten note with the date and steem on it. (see @papa-pepper posts for good examples of proof)
:-p
I can understand the idea that because there is now an easily exchangeable currency that these hacks are on the rise...
however, it has always been going on, it just was kept in the shadows.
Especially with aid from the MSmockingbirdM.
I also feel that the path through is not about killing bitcoin, as that is not really the problem. The problem is our lack of security on anything.
Our new cars can be hacked to "suicide" its occupants.
It has been reported, wiki-leaked and youtube'd that it has been done.
Why haven't the people shouted, fix this damn thing Ford (all car companies), or find yourself permanently out of business.
Our cell phones are not our own. They belong to Boogle/Pear. Then they belong to the service provider. Then... you can use it. Not own it. Not have control of it.
So, basically, we are now living in a world where we need to create proper tools, and security. We are also living in a world where copyright is about to have no meaning.
I guess.. If the expected profit from the film minus the bitcoin ransom is still substantial then pay it? I dunno, hard choice here as that will only promote this type of behavior.
Easy choice for me: Refuse to reward criminals.
Yes, I refuse to reward Dizney.
Nor I - I can recall when Disney was respected. Gone, baby, gone.