University of Twente Student Theses
Counter Strategies in Ransomware Negotiations: Victim Responses to the First Ransom Demand
Imsak, Melisa (2025) Counter Strategies in Ransomware Negotiations: Victim Responses to the First Ransom Demand.
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| Abstract: | Ransomware negotiations are often framed in technical or legal terms, but behind these attacks lie urgent and emotionally charged human decisions. This thesis examines how victims respond to the first ransom demand, focusing not just on what they say, but how they navigate the uncertainty, pressure, and power imbalance of the situation. Analyzing 134 negotiation transcripts, the study identifies eleven distinct counter strategies and categorizes them by communication style. The primary aim was to explore whether these responses exhibit structured patterns, and whether communication style relates to ransom payment outcome. While no statistically significant link between communication style and payment was found, the findings reveal repeated behavioral patterns that suggest interactional structure rather than randomness. Victim replies often reflect attempts to delay, challenge, or probe the attacker, indicating that their role in negotiations may be more active and patterned than previously assumed. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of crisis communication and offer a human-centered perspective on one of today’s most urgent cyber threats. |
| 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/106735 |
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