by Jack
Yesterday, twenty two (22) small towns across Texas were the victims of a massive and coordinated cyber-holdup.
The criminals were using a special spyware that locks up the city’s computers until they pay a large ransom. This works just like a kidnapping, only the kidnapped is critical government data. The cities were all told to pay a sum rumored in the millions or they would lose their data forever.
There have been at least 60 known ransomware attacks in the past year across the USA.
In the latest attack, the extortionists gained access to the city systems by using a fake email that made it appear it was from one city employee to another. When the recipient opened the email it released a virus into the computer system that began locking down all the data, making it impossible to reach tax records, court records, payroll, etc. until the city paid a hefty ransom to an off shore bank account and did it within 24 hours. Some cities hit in prior months simply paid, hoping their insurance would cover most of the cost.
According to the local police, there was almost nothing they could do. The FBI has a cyber crimes taskforce, but they are often thwarted because the perpetrators are often tracked back in Russia, China or North Korea and sometimes the crooks are acting on behalf these rogue governments.
It’s only a matter of time before the City of Chico (or Butte County) will become targeted just like these small towns in Texas. The only question is, will they be proactive and take the necessary precautions? Past practice says no. Make that a Hell no! They don’t understand what they are up against and if they do, they will just play the odds and hope they don’t get hit. They will more likely be successfully attacked in the near future because businesses, towns, counties and state governments are prime targets.
What will happen if we’re attacked? Well, there will be a lot of angst and handwringing, but not much else. We’ll be up a creek and the damage could cost us dearly. This is the way it has happened time after time across America, while the criminals rejoice in their newly found millions.
How can this outrage keep happening to us over and over? Because we elect idiots – any more questions.
Email security is a BIG issue. One thing I recommend to the folks who have computers that I’ve worked on is NEVER click on a link in the email – even if you think a friend/co-worker sent it go you as you never know what will be downloaded to your computer.
That goes for forwarding jokes, too!
If you must send something via email, either make it into a .pdf and send it or copy the text and paste it into your email. That way, you won’t be passing along any nasties hidden.
“How can this outrage keep happening to us over and over? Because we elect idiots – any more questions.”
When our country was cyber-attacked by Russia, our president sided with Russia, encouraged the attack, promised to revoke sanctions that were passed by the previous president due to the attack, and proposed a joint cyber-security task force with the attackers. He is now doing nothing to stop a future attack.
I can only assume this line is a veiled reference to these occurrences, since your readers would be angry with you if you made more direct references.
Chris, you forget …
All that “Russian intervention in our election” … fake news!
Our Dear Leader has said it.
Then there is the personal data that we simply give away. Want true democracy? Well, be careful what you ask for. You just may get it, at the speed of the www.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90394048/uh-oh-silicon-valley-is-building-a-chinese-style-social-credit-system