Joel Schectman, Raphael Satter, Christopher Bing, and Joseph Menn report: Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) recently alerted one of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s main election campaign advisory firms that it had been targeted by suspected Russian state-backed hackers, according to three people briefed on the matter. The hacking attempts targeted staff at Washington-based SKDKnickerbocker, a campaign strategy and…
Trinity Area School District, police investigating after security breaches during virtual classrooms
Lauren Lee reports: Trinity Area School District reported a security breach in a fifth-grade cyberclassroom at Trinity West Elementary on Wednesday, according to a letter by the district’s superintendent that was obtained by Post-Gazette news partner KDKA-TV. Superintendent Michael P. Lucas said the “hacker” accessed the virtual classroom and was “able to introduce offensive racial and other inappropriate comments.”…
Meet the Middlemen Who Connect Cybercriminals With Victims
Kelly Sheridan reports: Ransomware operators looking for victims can find them on the Dark Web, where initial access brokers publish listings containing vague descriptions of businesses they’ve managed to breach. Initial access brokers, the “middlemen” of ransomware attacks, have noticed demand for their services surge as ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) gains popularity. Their listings have steadily increased…
Ransomware attack on Saraburi hospital
Apinya Wipatayotin reports: The director of Saraburi Hospital on Wednesday confirmed the hospital computer system had been attacked with ransomware, but said no demand for money was received. Patients were being advised to bring their own medical records and old medicine packaging with them if they visit the hospital. Read more on Bangkok Post. h/t,…
Netwalker ransomware hits Pakistan’s largest private power utility
Lawrence Abrams reports: K-Electric, the sole electricity provider for Karachi, Pakistan, has suffered a Netwalker ransomware attack that led to the disruption of billing and online services. K-Electric is Pakistan’s largest power supplier, serving 2.5 million customers and employing over 10 thousand people. Read more on BleepingComputer. h/t, @chum1ng0
Hackers shutdown first day of Toledo Public Schools’ online classes
Melissa Voetsch reports: Toledo Public Schools experienced a computer hacking on its first day of online learning. According to district administrators, the day started well with students and staff signing on, but around noon, they received word that the system had been hacked. The district immediately shut down its system and brought in the FBI…