Pay a $1.7 Million Ransom or Else...
Hackers are getting smarter. To improve their chances of getting paid, hacker groups have added data exfiltration to their Ransomware. At best, this dramatically raises recovery costs, and at worst, causes irreparable damage to victims. Here's the latest story: After the infamous Maze Ransomware crew compromised New Jersey-based MDLab, they
New Orleans Cyber Attack Costs Surpass $7 Million
The City of New Orleans is still working on recovery efforts a full month after a Ransomware attack took down their systems. "We’re looking maybe at a six to eight month window before actual normalcy starts to integrate all of our systems.”The attack's costs have surpassed $7 million
FDIC Warns of Heightened Cyber Security Risks
The FDIC responded to increasing geopolitical risks (i.e. Iran post-Soleimani), with a statement "to remind supervised financial institutions of sound cybersecurity risk management principles." Financial institutions have recently faced fines and sanctions for avoidable cyber attacks. [Criminals] often obtain access to financial institution systems and networks by compromising user
Ransomware Attack Takes Schools "Back in the Day"
Pittsburg Unified School District students and educators returning from the holidays found they were without internet access or email after a Ransomware attack on the District's network. “We will be teaching and learning like ‘back in the day,’ without laptops and internet.” -Superintendent Janet SchulzeThe good news is that the
Texas School District Loses $2 Million+ to Phishing Scam
An Austin-area school district that serves nearly 10,000 students fell victim to a brutal Phishing scam. The Manor Independent School District called in the FBI and local Police Department to investigate the incident after District employees were fooled into sending $2.3 million to attackers. There were three separate
Why Soleimani's Killing Matters to SMBs
Warfare is no longer what it used to be. The lines of physical and digital are so blurred that the US government anticipates digital responses to its physical attacks. Since the 2010 "Stuxnet" attack, Iran has greatly expanded its offensive cyber warfare capabilities. Recent Iran-U.S. tensions have the potential
Ransomware Gets More Sophisticated
In early December, the city of Pensacola, Florida fell victim to a vicious ransomware attack, with a $1 million ransom demand. In a typical ransomware attack, the criminals encrypt (or lock) files until the ransom payment is made. This attack turned out to be anything but typical ransomware. The [attackers]
Cyber Attack Shuts Down Decades Old Business
The Heritage Company suffered a vicious ransomware attack, resulting in job losses for its 300 employees just before Christmas. In a letter to employees, company CEO Sandra Franecke shared the news that the 61-year old firm would cease operations. [CEO Franecke] opted to pay the ransom. A decryption key was
