[iamsohungry]

While I'm sure this is true and some hackers behave based on this idea, there are two issues:

1. "Many of these outfits" is not all: we still need a way to determine whether we should pay a ransom.

2. I'm sure I could manufacture a support forum which shows me to be trustworthy in an afternoon.

[lkowalcz]

For (1), this is the reason the ransom is small. Since "many" are actually trustworthy, it's a small risk to pay the relatively small ransom. (Also, you can verify via bitcoin address if you're dealing with a hacker who is known to give data back.)

For (2), could you also find a way to get the FBI to release a statement saying you are trustworthy?

[icebraining]

Also, you can verify via bitcoin address if you're dealing with a hacker who is known to give data back.

How so? Presumably they use a different one for each payment, no? Otherwise, how could they tell who paid?

[lkowalcz]

Apparently they reuse the primary wallet quite frequently:

http://www.coindesk.com/cryptowall-325-million-bitcoin-ranso...