Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
September 2017. Our property taxes were coming due. 
The ransomware attack that brought one of the largest counties in the state to a screeching halt has been resolved, both the cyber hacker and the county made good on their promises: the county paid more than $37,000 dollars in return, the files were returned.
“I hate to say this, but their reputation is that they do return stuff”, said Lou Ialacci, Montgomery County’s Chief IT Officer, a theory that changed from the first time we spoke to him, following the attack. “They think of themselves as modern day Robinhoods, they are here helping the masses. They are the good guys, they are going to come in, hack you and grab the files. If you pay them, that’s your punishment for letting them in.”
The payment was made in the form of internet currency called bitcoins, a value that changes daily like stocks. On Friday, the value of nine bitcoins was more than $37,000, Monday the value dropped to $32,837 dollars.
Ialacci said the department was in communication with the hackers through the dark web.
“I hate to say this, but their reputation is that they do return stuff”, said Lou Ialacci, Montgomery County’s Chief IT Officer, a theory that changed from the first time we spoke to him, following the attack. “They think of themselves as modern day Robinhoods, they are here helping the masses. They are the good guys, they are going to come in, hack you and grab the files. If you pay them, that’s your punishment for letting them in.”
The payment was made in the form of internet currency called bitcoins, a value that changes daily like stocks. On Friday, the value of nine bitcoins was more than $37,000, Monday the value dropped to $32,837 dollars.
Ialacci said the department was in communication with the hackers through the dark web.
http://www.wsfa.com/story/36444230/montgomery-county-pays-ransom-regains-files-held-hostage-in-cyber-attack
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
Recommendations
0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):
4 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read