Question

how is benficence and nonmaleficncence violated with ransomeware

Answer 1

First, we should understand what a ransomware does. A ransomware is a malicious tool that takes over partial or complete control of someone else’ data and makes it unavailable to them unless they agree to pay a ransom. It is a Trojan application that infects computers and other digital devices.

Now, beneficence is an ethical pillar that upholds the virtue that our decision and actions should benefit most number of people. In case of ransomware, the tool and the overall process benefits only the infiltrator. It does not benefit the person whose device is inflicted with ransomware, it does not benefit society or other stakeholders, and finally it does not benefit the community. This makes ransomware a selfish tool. Hence it violates beneficence principle.

Next, let’s consider non-maleficence. This principle focuses on not harming others. In case a harm cannot be avoided, it focuses on lowest possible harm caused to all stakeholders. Ransomware is designed to harm the person whose devices are affected. If a ransomware successfully attacks a computer either you will have to pay or you will lose your data. This makes it lose-lose situation and violates the principle of non-maleficence.