Ransomware News

New Orleans - The city of New Orleans declared a state of emergency after an attempted cyber-attack on Friday, officials announced on Twitter Friday evening. Just days before this attack, Pensacola, Florida computers were attacked by a ransomware virus.

Q&A: Nyotron discovers undetectable ransomware technique Special

Nyotron has announced its discovery of a major new cybersecurity threat that makes WannaCry look like child’s play, yet has been ignored by the industry (despite Nyotron’s best efforts).

Looking behind the ConnectWise ransomware attacks Special

ConnectWise has announced that hackers have targeted on-premise Automate systems so they can take over servers and then deploy ransomware across a company's entire computer fleet. James Carder of LogRhythm Labs explains more.

Government services in Nunavut caught in ransomware cyberattack Special

A ransomware cyberattack has hit the Canadian territory of Nunavut, impeding an array of government services. Peter Goldstein, CTO and co-founder, Valimail looks into the issue.

Can computer ‘time travel’ thwart ransomware attacks?

Computer scientists are experimenting with a ‘time travel’ feature in order to combat ransomware attacks. The new method makes use of stored copies of files which can then replace compromised files.

State of play: One year on from WannaCry ransomware outbreak

The one year anniversary of the WannaCry ransomware outbreak, which severely impacted global healthcare organizations, edges closer. A new report assess how well hospitals and healthcare facilities have respond in terms of new technology and systems.

Op-Ed: Reinventing the Internet— Regulate, modernize, or both?

By Paul Wallis

Sydney - People are fed up with an internet which is as much a risk as an asset. Nor is online business so great for revenue or risks. Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the guy who invented the internet, wants regulation. That may not be enough.

Nokia: Android smartphones biggest malware target in 2017

Android smartphones accounted for the majority of malware attacks over the past year, behind devices running Windows. The figures come from Nokia's Threat Intelligence Lab which warned more needs to be done to keep mobile users secure.

Report: U.K. NHS could have prevented WannaCry

London - The U.K. National Health Service (NHS) 'could have prevented' WannaCry ransomware attack, according to a review of the incident issued by the British government.

Bad Rabbit ransomware spreads around globe as Adobe flash update

A new ransomware campaign that began on Tuesday in Russia and Ukraine is now on the move, spreading through a number of countries. Dubbed "Bad Rabbit," it poses as an Adobe Flash update.

Ransomware-spreading botnet takes desktop screenshots

The Necurs botnet has been inactive for much of the first half of 2017, but it is now back, with a vengeance. Recently, Millions of malicious emails have been distributed, with most of them spreading Locky ransomware.

Dark web ransomware economy growing at 2,500 percent annually

San Francisco - A new report was released Wednesday at the Cb Connect a conference in San Francisco, highlighting the astounding increase in ransomware sales on the dark web. Sales rocketed from about $250,000 last year to over $6.2 million so far in 2017.

Ransomware cybercrime soars globally - Has become an 'epidemic'

A Europol report warns of the increasingly professional nature of cybercrime and how the likes of WannaCry demonstrates how ransomware is eclipsing most other online crimes.

Small businesses suffer as ransomware epidemic grows

Small businesses are suffering from a ransomware epidemic. Firms have paid out a total of over $300 million in the past year, leaving them unable to make investments to develop their business. Recovering from the data loss can be an even greater struggle.

Shipping industry at risk of cyberattacks by hackers and pirates

Hackers are increasingly targeting shipping firms to extract business information, attempt audacious frauds and steal goods from vessels. Members of the security industry warned shipping firms are often unaware of the dangers.

Global ransomware attack 'came from North Korea'

London - May 2017's global ransomware attack, which struck over 200,000 computer systems across 150 countries, was 'launched from North Korea' according to British security officials.

Windows XP updated to defend against 'nation-state' cyberattacks

Microsoft has taken the highly unusual step of releasing a new set of Windows security updates for unsupported operating system versions. The company said the patches come in the wake of WannaCrypt and provide protection against "nation-state actors."

Researchers warn Mac computer users to watch for new ransomware

Security researchers have warned that two dangerous new strains of malware have been spotted online, including a ransomware attack. It specifically targets Apple Mac computers, making it one of very few campaigns to stray away from Windows.

Pirated Windows copies helped to spread the WannaCry ransomware

The WannaCry ransomware that made its way around the globe last week may have been aided by the use of pirated Windows versions. According to security researchers, the widespread use of illegal copies gave it a foothold in some regions.

Most people are ill-equipped to deal with ransomware

Last week’s global ransomware attack struck over 200,000 computer systems across 150 countries. It remains that most people are ill equipped to deal with ransomware, based on a new global survey.

After massive cyberattacks, Microsoft criticizes U.S. government

By Business Insider

Microsoft has criticised the US government following a massive ransomware cyberattack that hit computers around the world Friday, after it emerged that the malware made use of a software exploited developed by the NSA.

Op-Ed: Ransomware — Why so helpless? Why is security so useless?

By Paul Wallis

Sydney - Ransomware is a plague. It’s everywhere, and it’s not new. Security industries have been aware of it for many years, and yet it’s still viable? Why is a well-known method of hijacking computers still possible?

Ransomware, the weapon wielded in cyber attacks

By AFP

Paris - A software that demands a ransom was the weapon of choice used in a wave of unprecedented global cyber attacks Friday that affected 130,000 systems in more than 100 countries.

What you need to know about ransomware

A spate of fast-moving wave of cyber attacks have swept the globe, using a form of ransomware. This malicious software has infiltrated a number of IT systems, including that of the English National health Service We take a look at the virus.

Popcorn Time ransomware encourages you to infect your friends

A nasty new strain of malware is making the rounds. It is spreading by using a devious tactic that hasn't been observed before. If you get infected, you can choose to pass the ransomware onto two of your friends and get your files decrypted for free.

Carleton University computer system infected with ransomware

By Owen Weldon

Ottawa - Carleton University confirmed that its IT network was attacked by ransomware, which is a virus that holds files hostage in exchange for payment.

San Francisco transit system comes under ransomware attack

By Jack Derricourt

Transit riders in San Francisco this weekend got a nice surprise: all Muni Metro rides were free. Unfortunately, the reason behind the free fair wasn’t a show of good will on a stressful holiday weekend.

New ransomware prevents Windows from loading until you pay up

A potentially devastating new ransomware discovered in the wild goes to new lengths to convince you to pay up. After encrypting your entire hard drive, Mamba overwrites your PC's master boot record, preventing it from starting Windows.

'World's lamest ransomware' leaves unlock key 'in plain sight'