The complex moral issue of paying hackers ransom

As these kinds of cyberattacks are becoming more common, demand is growing for cybersecurity experts.
Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images
Several news organizations are reporting that Colonial Pipeline did pay hackers ransom to regain control of their data and their systems, reportedly something in the $5 million range. And, people are buying cars at a near-record pace, if you can find them. The low supply and high prices are related to the global semiconductor chip shortage. There's still no definitive timeline for when that shortage could end.
Music from the episode
The Young Machines (Album Leaf Remix) Her Space Holiday
The team
David Brancaccio
Host
Victoria Craig
Host, BBC
Stephen Ryan
Senior Producer, BBC
Jonathan Frewin
Producer, BBC
Daniel Shin
Producer
Jay Siebold
Technical Director
Brian Allison
Engineer
Meredith Garretson
Senior Producer
Erika Soderstrom
Producer
Rose Conlon
Producer
Alex Schroeder
Producer