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But cybersecurity is now everybody’s problem... Stealing money from a bank the old-
Those of us who still have trouble connecting a printer to Wi-Fi (guilty as charged) aren't about to step up to the front lines of the cyber war.
fashioned way is dangerous. On the other hand, criminals stole $81 million from the Bangladesh central bank’s account at the New York Federal Reserve last year from the other side of the globe in a matter of minutes – no ski masks or getaway car required. And it’s getting worse. Malware is software that disables or takes over computers. And two major malware incidents during the last two months have served as a reminder that if you’re online, you’re vulnerable to attack. The so-called “WannaCry” attack in May infected millions of computers in more than 150 countries , including a number of major U.K. hospitals . It’s known as a “ransomware” attack due to how it seized control of devices, encrypted files, and demanded a ransom be paid via bitcoin. Assuming victims figured out a way to make good on this cryptocurrency bounty, they were ostensibly supposed to get access to their data back. Refuse the data-nappers, though, and possibly lose access forever. Financial losses from the WannaCry attack have been estimated in the low billions . In late June, another even more damaging ransomware cyberattack called “Petya” hit more than 100 companies in America and Europe, with the origins of the outbreak reportedly coming from a Ukrainian tax- software update.
Given recent hacking allegations, some eyes quickly focused in on Russia as a possible creator of the malware, though Russian companies including energy giant Rosneft were hit as well. The Kremlin unsurprisingly denies any nefarious online activities ( but of course, comrades ). Others have suggested a North Korean hand. And to be fair, the psychopathic Kim crime family has been busy firing missiles of late. Regardless of the culprits, these cyberattacks are harbingers of a new era – one in which nobody is safe from the effects of the cyber war. The sophistication of Internet onslaughts against private corporations and individuals is only going to increase. Many of the private- sector firms that specialize in preventing some malcontent in Moscow from stealing or deleting an intellectual-property fortune are warning that the worst is yet to come. WannaCry was derailed relatively early on because some cyber sleuths based out of L.A. found a “kill switch” for the malware. It was a stroke of luck. No one can count on a repeat going forward. The next cyberattack could be the big one.
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