Fwd: Hackers demand ransom for California voter database

["Dave Farber" <dave () farber net>]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: the keyboard of geoff goodfellow <geoff () iconia com>
Date: Fri, Dec 15, 2017 at 1:57 PM
Subject: Hackers demand ransom for California voter database
To: E-mail Pamphleteer Dave Farber's Interesting People list <ip () listbox com
>



*Hackers demand ransom for California voter database*
http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/365113-hackers-demand-ransom-for-california-voter-database

Hackers have deleted a database of potential California voters with more
than 19 million entries, demanding around $3,500 to restore it.

Researchers at the security firm MacKeeper's Kromtech research group first
noticed the issue, but have not been able to identify the database's owner
to notify them.

"We decided to go public to let everyone who was affected know," said Bob
Diachenko, head of communications for Kromtech.

Kromtech primarily searches for misconfigured databases on cloud storage
accounts that accidentally reveal private information to the public. In
early December, they found a misconfigured database on an Amazon cloud
account containing what appeared to be information on 19 million
Californian citizens, including contact and mailing information as well as
voting precinct information.

But while the company was investigating the misconfigured files, they
noticed the files were suddenly removed and replaced with a ransom note
demanding 0.2 bitcoin, or about $3,500. [...]

-- 
Geoff.Goodfellow () iconia com
living as The Truth is True
http://geoff.livejournal.com

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