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Cyber Criminals Hold Medical Records Hostage

Posted By Pete at 4:59 PM, June 19, 2009

ransom.png The line between real life criminal and cyber criminal is quickly blurring, as an unidentified hacker is potentially holding millions of user records for ransom. The hacker broke into a Virginia state prescription drug database containing over 35 million records. You can read more about it here.

I guess we're all used to reading about bad guys holding people, pets, and other valuables for ransom, but as more and more of the world goes digital, so has crime.

Some people still have the misconception that hackers, malware authors, and the like are people with too much time on their hands trying to make a statement. The reality is there is an entire cyber criminal underworld complete with its own eco-system. Everyone has a role. Malware authors write malicious code and put it up on malware forums and bulletin boards for sale to the highest bidder, while the people who buy the programs or code use them to steal data or create havoc....again for money.

What does this mean for the rest of us? Unfortunately, the laws and law enforcement governing the Internet are not as well established as what we are used to for all other things. What that means is that we will have to be responsible for our own online safety, whether it be identity or personal data. Much like some of us who have alarm systems installed in our homes, we need to take a similar approach when it comes to protecting our computers and network assets. Multiple layers of security, along with good computer usage practices are the best ways to minimize exposure. Again, this is serious business for cyber criminals and this should be serious business for you and me as well.

Posted by: Pete at 4:59 PM
Categories: General

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