Do You Pay the Ransomware?

Of all the malware, Ransomware terrifies me… imagine your entire digital life is held hostage.

The Attack

How it works: a message takes over the screen > hi your entire computer is locked, along with all your files > want the key? > pay the ransom > get key, unlock (more here)

The bigger problem is whether or not to pay, because there’s no definitive evidence which is more successful.

Possible Scenarios – pay, they want more, withhold key / pay, they keep their word and send key / don’t pay, and you haven’t backed up in 7 months, imagine the cleanup and rebuilding

The keynote speaker at the recent SecTor security conference manages the Secret Service’s Cyber Intelligence Section, and even those guys haven’t seen a pattern.  Jason B. Brown says it’s consistently 50/50 the key will actually be sent, so they don’t feel comfortable advising either way.

(how to edit a photo before uploading here)

The Defence:

– Think before clicking

– Weekly backups

– Strong passwords, stored in a password manager

– Surf stupid sites on a laptop that’s independent of your online life.  No using it to log into email or social media accounts. Photos and documents are moved to your main computer, then deleted. Oh you locked up my empty hard-drive? Wipe & rebuild.

Blog tag = SecTor

 

 

It’s a Good Time to Buy Masks #Hallowe’en

$3.99 / each. The one above is extra spooky eh, the clear ones always are.

It also leaves a lasting impression, “all I remember is this bright blue eyeshadow…” good, good.

Jokes aside, Hallowe’en must be the most dreaded day for law enforcement…

“Legitimately Mask Up Day”

CCTV footage is useless… masks bring bravado… to mobs of highly energized people… be glad I’m not in charge, I’d cancel the whole thing.

Cancelled.

 

 

Canada’s List of Accepted Proofs of Identity

This came in my mail, in regards to the upcoming election.

Note the last line under Section 2: “We accept e-statement and e-invoices. Print them or show on a mobile device”.

Some half-decent Photoshop skills can forge those…  like a prescription label, hospital bracelet, utility bill, or letter from a soup kitchen.

Or go for Option 3 … that doesn’t seem that difficult, through the use or force or not.

Okay I faked it and voted, now what?

Now I’m on the official voting list, that’s got to count towards some new pieces of ID, parlay parlay, and I’m on my way to creating a new fake person.

Hi, I’m Kara Porter.

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PS – if you don’t vote on Monday, you’re a puke.