Cybercrime

Ransomware is a family of malware that blocks access to a PC, server or mobile device, or encrypts all the data stored on that machine. It’s typically delivered via malicious email or infected third-party websites. To regain access or control of the data, the user must pay a ransom — more often than not via Bitcoin.

In 2019, a ransomware attack wiped out 750 government computers across Texas in less than 90 minutes. As hospitals, local governments, agencies and businesses increasingly become the targets of ransomware attacks, here’s what you should know about the threat.

Cybercriminals shifted away from stealing individual consumers’ information in 2020 to focus on more profitable attacks on businesses.

With the coronavirus pandemic encouraging people to do holiday shopping online, scams are on the rise, experts say. The FBI’s Financial Crimes section expects cybercriminals to be preying on people looking for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals....
People who are in tighter financial straits or otherwise stressed from the pandemic might be more likely to fall for such scams...

The Justice Department has charged five Chinese citizens with hacks targeting more than 100 companies and institutions in the United States and abroad, including social media and video game companies as well as universities and telecommunications providers

Chris Hadnagy is a professional hacker. But he’s actually one of the good guys.

Puerto Rico’s government says it suspended three employees as federal agents investigate an online scam that attempted to steal more than $4 million from the U.S. territory.

Federal authorities have a consumer warning for shoppers. Hidden skimming devices (commonly thought to be attached to gas station pumps and ATMs) have gone high-tech. “It’s hard to put really — definite numbers around it. But one thing we know for sure is that millions of credit card numbers have been stolen, even over the course of the past two…

A woman lost thousands of dollars to cyber-criminals who set up a scam on a popular dog-walking app.

Hang out in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood and you might spot Gracie Baruzzi taking a stroll with a four-legged companion at her side. For the past six months, people have hired Baruzzi to get their pooches some exercise via the popular dog walking app, Wag!, which she describes as “Uber for dogs.” For the oncology nurse at Boston Children’s...

The Justice Department has unsealed charges against two Russian men in what authorities say is one of the worst computer hacking and bank fraud schemes of the past decade. The men are charged in a 10-count indictment filed in federal court in Pittsburgh. The charges relate to the creation of malware made to automate the theft of personal and banking...