Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai reports: A ransomware attack appears to have affected two American chemicals companies, Motherboard has learned. Hexion and Momentive, which make resins, silicones, and other materials, and are controlled by the same investment fund, were hit by the ransomware on March 12, according to a current employee. An internal email obtained by Motherboard and…
Category: Malware
Everywhere you look, it seems schools are struggling with malware
Two more reports in my inbox, thanks to Russy: MA: Lynn Public Schools internet shut down due to virus: A widespread computer virus has shut down the internet in Lynn Public Schools until further notice. Yesterday, the administration was made aware of the virus at Lynn Classical, Lynn English, and a few of the elementary…
NC: Hackers demand ransom from Orange County for 3rd time in 6 years
Holden Kurwicki reports: A local county is being held hostage by hackers who could have access to your private information at their fingertips. The Orange County IT Department is working hand in hand with outside agencies to hunt down hackers who have invaded county computer servers with ransomware. [..] “We have public computers at the…
Hackers hold Norsk Hydro for ransom
Nina Berglund reports: The cyber attack that brought down Norwegian industrial firm Norsk Hydro on Tuesday is believed to have been orchestrated by hackers demanding ransom money, company officials confirmed at an afternoon press conference. Hydro won’t pay, and believes it will be able to get its systems back up and running. “We have good…
Bitcoin Ransomware Cripples Boston Legal System for Two Weeks
P. H. Madore reports: Boston public defenders suffered a ransomware attack some weeks back but have chosen not to send the bitcoin demanded by the attacker. Instead, they decided to use back-ups to restore services. The Committee oversees public defenders in Boston. According to the Boston Globe, that decision has meant a “weekslong slowdown” that…
UK: Dorset school targeted in suspected ransomware attack
Cormac Connelly-Smith reports: Students at a Dorset secondary school have had their GCSE coursework held hostage by hackers. It is believed the Sir John Colfox Academy in Bridport was targeted by a ransomware attack, which locks victims out of their personal files unless they pay hackers to unlock them. The last major ransomware attack was…