University of Twente Student Theses
Decrypting Dialogue : The Effect of Exchanging Behaviour in Ransomware Negotiations
Küsters, Leon (2024) Decrypting Dialogue : The Effect of Exchanging Behaviour in Ransomware Negotiations.
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| Abstract: | This paper examines the role of exchanging behavior in the context of ransomware negotiations. Ransomware is forecasted to be one of the most important cybersecurity topics for the coming years. Inspiration was drawn from the field of crisis negotiation to synthesize the hypotheses. These expected a beneficial effect of the IV exchanging behavior on the DV’s likelihood of reaching a negotiated agreement and on the magnitude of discount cybercriminals are willing to offer. The dataset (N = 25) consisted of open-access negotiation transcripts. To test the hypotheses, a mixed methods approach paired qualitative coding with data analysis. A t-test probed for a difference in exchanging frequency between paid and unpaid transcripts and a regression analysis tested for an effect of exchanging frequency on ransom discount offered. While the directions of the effects were as expected, the findings failed to support the hypotheses in a statistically significant manner. However, other exploratory findings support the efficacy of exchanging. Upon reflection, the sample size severely limited the power of the test and the likelihood of finding significant findings. Nonetheless, the results point to a possibly different role of trust in the context of ransomware negotiations and provide a starting point for further research. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/100715 |
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