Debugged Weekly: Jul 29th-Aug 4th
Cyberattacks, Bitcoin, and the FBI. Check out some of the most interesting stories of the week!
1. WannaCry ransomware: Hackers behind global cyberattack finally cash out Bitcoin windfall
Summary: Almost three months on from the WannaCry ransomware outbreak, those behind the global cyberattack have finally cashed out their ransom payments. At the time of withdrawal, the value of the wallets totalled $140,000.
Why this matters: The cash-out is the first activity on the Bitcoin wallets that stored the money made from the ransomware attack.
2. New Trojan malware attack targets restaurant chains
Summary: A notorious hacking group is back with a new method of distributing Trojan malware, with the aim of creating backdoors into the networks of restaurant chains across the US. Dubbed Bateleur — after a breed of eagle — by the researchers at Proofpoint who uncovered it, it’s thought to be the work of Carbanak, a group that focuses its attacks on corporate targets.
Why this matters: The Bateleur is another prominent attack that is aiming to obtain consumer data.
3. HBO says data hacked, media says ‘Game of Thrones’ targeted
Summary: U.S. cable channel HBO said on Monday that hackers had stolen upcoming programming, and Entertainment Weekly reported that the theft included a script for an unaired episode of the hit fantasy show “Game of Thrones.”
Why this matters: This attack is another addition to the increasing amount of publicized cyberattacks on US businesses.
4. Researcher who flipped WannaCry kill switch detained in US
Summary: Marcus Hutchins — the researcher who dramatically reduced the damage caused by WannaCry ransomware by discovering a “kill switch” — was detained in Nevada after a cybersecurity conference, Motherboard reports. The circumstances around the detainment are unclear, but it’s reported that the FBI took him into custody on Wednesday.
Why this matters: The arrest of Hutchins is unexpected and the cyber security community watches on carefully as the case develops.
5. Bitcoin splits, but clone off to slow start
Summary: Bitcoin’s underlying software code was split on Tuesday, generating a new clone called “Bitcoin Cash,” but the new virtual currency got off to a slow start due to lackluster support for its network.
Why this matters: The new currency can significantly change the future of Bitcoin and consequently mass-adoption of cryptocurrencies.
