Cybercriminals have been using ransomware to profit off of unprepared victims for more than a decade. Since the beginning stages of ransomware, much has been learned about how government agencies and businesses deal with it.

A recent survey conducted online within the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of Anomali, from July 2019, fielded approximately 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, among whom 1,700 are registered voters.

One of the top findings in the study was the number of American adults who have been touched by ransomware.

The survey revealed that roughly 1 in 5 Americans or 21 percent, have experienced a ransomware attack on a personal or work device. Among those who experienced an attack on a work device, 46 percent say their companies paid a ransom.

The survey learned that many Americans view cybersecurity as a priority. In fact, 87 percent believe that government should consider it as such. However, only 51 percent believe the government is effectively addressing the issue.

The survey also found that 61 percent of Americans would support a federal income tax increase to help fund government efforts to defend against cyberattacks.

Additional findings from the survey included, 34 percent of Americans think it is at least sometimes OK for government organizations to make ransomware payments, while 7 percent believe it is always OK.

To learn more about the survey, visit Anomali’s website.