Deb Erdley reports: Pay now, or pay later. Leaders of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus faced those options when hackers infected their computer system in March 2017, holding it hostage with ransomware. Officials at the Westmoreland County Housing Authority faced the same dilemma when hackers held their computers and phones hostage in July. The Housing…
Category: Malware
Russian hackers ‘Fancy Bear’ now targeting governments with rootkit malware
Zack Whittaker reports: Security researchers say that they have found evidence that for the first time Russia-backed hackers are now using a more sophisticated type of malware to target government entities. ESET presented its case Thursday that the hacker group, known as Fancy Bear (or APT28), is using rootkit malware to target its victims. That…
Ransomware Attacks Conway, Companies out Thousands
Jessi Turnure reports: Hackers are blocking companies in Conway from files on their computers and won’t give them back until they pay a ransom. Some businesses are now out thousands of dollars with little to show for it. “We were a little scared because we don’t have control over that,” said the owner of Fixed…
New Virobot malware works as ransomware, keylogger, and botnet
Catalin Cimpanu reports: A newly discovered malware strain is a multi-tasking threat that besides working as ransomware and encrypting users’ files, it can also log and steal their keystrokes, and add infected computers to a spam-sending botnet. This new threat is named Virobot and appears to be under development, and comprised of multiple components that…
UK: Arran Brewery blackmailed by hackers as Scottish beer firm becomes latest victim of sophisticated Ransomware attack
Jonathan Whitelaw reports: A Tiny Scots brewery has been blackmailed by cyber hackers as part of a sophisticated Ransomware attack. Bosses at The Arran Brewery were targeted by the online crooks before bringing in experts to beef up their security. And they say that the attack caused severe disruption to the business and the loss…
Virus shuts down city services in Beatrice, Nebraska
Scott Koperski reports: A virus shut down many city operations this week, including phone and internet services for several departments. City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer said city departments lost phone and internet service in the downtown area, including city hall, the Beatrice Police Department and city auditorium, which houses Beatrice Fire and Rescue. […] It’s believed…