Brian Krebs reports: Marko Elez, a 25-year-old employee at Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been granted access to sensitive databases at the U.S. Social Security Administration, the Treasury and Justice departments, and the Department of Homeland Security. So it should fill all Americans with a deep sense of confidence to learn that Mr. Elez…
Author: Dissent
Four people bailed after arrests over cyber attacks on M&S, Co-op and Harrods
PA News Agency reports: Four young people who were arrested for their suspected involvement in the damaging cyber attacks against Marks & Spencer, the Co-op and Harrods, have been bailed. The arrests on July 10 included a 17-year-old British man from the West Midlands, a 19-year-old Latvian man from the West Midlands, a 19-year-old British…
RansomedVC is back — and is still attacking its competitors
On July 9, RansomedVC reappeared, temporarily referring to itself as “RebornVC,” but quickly reverting to its better-known identity. Its first two victims were listed as SnapAV/Resideo (Snap One) in the U.S. and Unyleya in Brazil. No proof of claims was offered for either listing, and no deadlines were posted, but Snap One had a price…
Texas Enacts Electronic Health Record Data Localization Law
Hunton Andrews Kurth writes: Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed into law S.B. 1188, a bill that regulates the security and storage of electronic health record data and the deployment of artificial intelligence (“AI”) in the health care context. The law creates a data localization requirement, obligating covered entities to physically maintain electronic health records in…
United Australia Party confirms ransomware attack, personal data and email correspondence exposed
Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party has informed its members of a data breach, but admits “it is impracticable to notify individuals”. David Hollingworth reports: A pair of Australian political parties associated with firebrand mining magnate Clive Palmer have confirmed they were the victims of a ransomware attack last month. According to a data breach notice…
Armenian National Extradited to the United States Faces Federal Charges for Ransomware Extortion Conspiracy
An Armenian national extradited from Ukraine to the United States faces federal charges for his role in Ryuk ransomware attacks and extortion conspiracy targeting companies throughout the United States, including a technology company operating in Oregon. Karen Serobovich Vardanyan, 33, an Armenian national, has been charged with conspiracy, fraud in connection with computers, and extortion…