CryptoLocker: US Police Department Pays $750 Bitcoin Ransom to Cybercriminals

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/524137/20131121/cryptolocker-ransomware-police-department-pays-bitcoin-ransom.htm

By MARY-ANN RUSSON
IBTimes.co.uk
November 21, 2013

A computer in the police department of Swansea, Massachusetts was hit by 
the CryptoLocker ransomware on 6 November.

CryptoLocker is a particularly pernicious piece of malware that is 
typically spread as a malicious attachment in emails which look to come 
from financial institutions or postal services.

The malware infected the computer in the Swansea police department and 
encrypted files on the PC's hard drive including "images and word 
documents" which could include police reports and arrest photos of 
suspects.

The police department clearly had no backup system in place as it paid the 
ransom of two bitcoins, despite FBI guidance not to pay the 
cyber-criminals behind the attack. At the time two bitcoins were worth 
$750 but if the police had to pay up today, the price would be $1,300 as 
bitcoin's vlaue has risen considerably in recent weeks.

[...]



--
Dean Bushmiller teaches a great 5-Day CISM in Albany NY Dec. 2  6.
Call 327-937-9786 for details.