ransomware – Page 5 – SSL and internet security news

The Future of Ransomware

May 23, 2017 infossl

backups, extortion, internetofthings, malware, nsa, patching, ransomware, Security technology

Ransomware isn’t new, but it’s increasingly popular and profitable. The concept is simple: Your computer gets infected with a virus that encrypts your files until you pay a ransom. It’s extortion taken to its networked extreme. The criminals provide step-by-step instructions on how to pay, sometimes even offering a help line for victims unsure how … Read More “The Future of Ransomware” »

WannaCry Ransomware

May 19, 2017 infossl

antivirus, backups, cybercrime, hacking, internetofthings, ransomware, Security technology

Criminals go where the money is, and cybercriminals are no exception. And right now, the money is in ransomware. It’s a simple scam. Encrypt the victim’s hard drive, then extract a fee to decrypt it. The scammers can’t charge too much, because they want the victim to pay rather than give up on the data. … Read More “WannaCry Ransomware” »

Did North Korea Write WannaCry?

May 16, 2017 infossl

malware, northkorea, nsa, ransomware, Security technology

The New York Times is reporting that evidence is pointing to North Korea as the author of the WannaCry ransomware. Note that there is no proof at this time, although it would not surprise me if the NSA knows the origins of this malware attack. Powered by WPeMatico

Ransomware for Sale

March 14, 2017 infossl

ransomware, Security technology

Brian Krebs posts a video advertisement for Philadelphia, a ransomware package that you can purchase. Powered by WPeMatico

Building Smarter Ransomware

March 7, 2017 infossl

bitcoin, crime, ransomware, Security technology

Matthew Green and students speculate on what truly well-designed ransomware system could look like: Most modern ransomware employs a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin to enable the payments that make the ransom possible. This is perhaps not the strongest argument for systems like Bitcoin — and yet it seems unlikely that Bitcoin is going away anytime soon. … Read More “Building Smarter Ransomware” »

IoT Ransomware against Austrian Hotel

January 31, 2017 infossl

bitcoin, hotels, internetofthings, ransomware, Security technology

Attackers held an Austrian hotel network for ransom, demanding $1,800 in bitcoin to unlock the network. Among other things, the locked network wouldn’t allow any of the guests to open their hotel room doors. I expect IoT ransomware to become a major area of crime in the next few years. How long before we see … Read More “IoT Ransomware against Austrian Hotel” »

Ransomware Meets Multi-level Marketing

December 12, 2016 infossl

malware, marketing, ransomware, Security technology

A new ransomware, Popcorn Time, gives users the option of infecting others in lieu of paying the ransom. Related: a good general article on ransomware. EDITED TO ADD: Slashdot thread. Powered by WPeMatico

San Francisco Transit System Target of Ransomware

November 29, 2016 infossl

cyberattack, cybercrime, hacking, internet, publictransit, ransomware, Security technology

It’s really bad. The ticket machines were hacked. Over the next couple of years, I believe we are going to see the downside of our headlong rush to put everything on the Internet. Slashdot thread. Powered by WPeMatico

Hacking the Internet of Things: Locks and Thermostats

August 10, 2016 infossl

bluetooth, drm, hacking, internetofthings, locks, ransomware, Security technology

At Defcon last weekend, researchers demonstrated hacks against Bluetooth door locks and Internet-enabled thermostats. Powered by WPeMatico