(TNS) Last year, a ransomware attack shut down Strack & Van Til checkout lines during the busy week before Thanksgiving.
In retail terms, it couldn't have come at a worse time.
Just this week, LaPorte County government offices were forced to pay $132,000 to hackers after a ransomware attack shut down part of the county's computer system. The Federal Bureau of Investigations couldn't crack the virus.
The next target could be anyone or any entity.
Cybersecurity experts warn ransomware attacks, in which data is held hostage until the victims — often private companies or government offices — pay a ransom fee, and other cyberattacks are becoming disturbingly more common.
"Americans are getting their identities stolen every 2 seconds," said Ron Bush, an information security consultant for clients throughout Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. "We're at war and don't realize it. They attack every industry you can think of."
Hackers, who often gain access to computer systems through phishing emails with malicious attachments or links to infected websites, attack companies, school districts, colleges, courts and a growing number of local governments. They even target individuals, holding their photos and other personal files hostage for a price.
Lake City, Florida, recently paid nearly $500,000 to get its data unlocked, and Riviera Beach, Florida, shelled out nearly $600,000. Some cities have held out, but it's proven to be more costly. Atlanta and Balt ..
Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.
