“The Economics of Extortion,” which is based on ProPublica’s research of the same name, explores the inner workings of a large criminal industry that has taken hospitals, municipal governments, schools and even an oil pipeline hostage. The trade is possibly new, the principles of extortion dating back centuries. Host Meg Marco takes listeners on an adventure to the forefront of anti-ransomware combat, where she meets those affected and those who are fighting.
Episode 1: The Problem. An iteration of the new era of extortion challenge from old age: a ransomware vigilante, a hacking expert (as on genuine ships), an administrator, and a kidnapping victim share their experiences.