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Hackers Hold Computer Files 'Hostage' (moved from ATSNN)
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Computer hackers have become infamous for hacking networks to steal data and to commit other malicious acts, but now an new tactic has emerged whereby
a hacker has "locked" data on a victim's hardware and then demanded money for the encryption key. This has become known as "ransom-ware." The
problem for the perpetrator is that money transactions are easier to trace than email addresses. The FBI is working on the case.
www.enterprise-security-today.com
Computer users already anxious about viruses and identity theft have new reason to worry: Hackers have found a way to lock up the electronic documents on your computer and then demand $200 over the Internet to get them back.
Security researchers at San Diego-based Websense Inc. uncovered the unusual extortion plot when a corporate customer they would not identify fell victim to the infection, which encrypted files that included documents, photographs and spreadsheets.
A ransom note left behind included an e-mail address, and the attacker using the address later demanded $200 for the digital keys to unlock the files.
"This is equivalent to someone coming into your home, putting your valuables in a safe and not telling you the combination," said Oliver Friedrichs, a security manager for Symantec Corp.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
Well, I guess when you think you've heard it all, something new comes down the pike. One would hope that this does not become common. Even now, experts are attempting to provide protection against this type of attack. Clearly, with an electronic financial transaction required for this scheme to work, the ransom idea may be dead in the water, but, of course, there are plenty of folks who will do this kind of thing just for grins.
Related News Links:
infotech.indiatimes.com
www.enterprise-security-today.com
Computer users already anxious about viruses and identity theft have new reason to worry: Hackers have found a way to lock up the electronic documents on your computer and then demand $200 over the Internet to get them back.
Security researchers at San Diego-based Websense Inc. uncovered the unusual extortion plot when a corporate customer they would not identify fell victim to the infection, which encrypted files that included documents, photographs and spreadsheets.
A ransom note left behind included an e-mail address, and the attacker using the address later demanded $200 for the digital keys to unlock the files.
"This is equivalent to someone coming into your home, putting your valuables in a safe and not telling you the combination," said Oliver Friedrichs, a security manager for Symantec Corp.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
Well, I guess when you think you've heard it all, something new comes down the pike. One would hope that this does not become common. Even now, experts are attempting to provide protection against this type of attack. Clearly, with an electronic financial transaction required for this scheme to work, the ransom idea may be dead in the water, but, of course, there are plenty of folks who will do this kind of thing just for grins.
Related News Links:
infotech.indiatimes.com
Kind of silly that they would request $200 to be sent to an email since the money is ultimately traceable by a simple investigation linking the hacker
with the virus. Or unless the money is sent to someone else, framing an innocent person. Now that would be interesting...
also reported on CNN as I posted here...
www.abovetopsecret.com...
I hate all this hacker stuff, why can't people just leave other people alone ?
www.abovetopsecret.com...
I hate all this hacker stuff, why can't people just leave other people alone ?
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