US takes new aim at ransomware after costly year for attacks

The Justice Department is taking new aim at ransomware after a year that officials say was the costliest on record for the crippling cyberattacks.

Formation of a task force of FBI agents and Justice Department prosecutors is an acknowledgment of the growing threat posed by ransomware attacks, in which hackers lock up computer data and demand ransom payments in order to give it back. The force is part of a broader government effort to combat cyberattacks that target vital infrastructure, including a 100-day Biden administration initiative announced Tuesday to bolster the digital security of the nation’s electricity supply.

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Also see:

Justice Dept. Creates Task Force to Stop Ransomware Spread
The Justice Department is forming a task force of FBI agents, prosecutors, and national security representatives to stop the spread of ransomware attacks.
https://www.darkreading.com/attacks-breaches/justice-dept-creates-task-force-to-stop-ransomware-spread/d/d-id/1340788

Ransomware: A Deep Dive into 2021 Emerging Cyber-Risks
Ransomware has been a growing scourge for years, but recent attacks illustrate a growing sophistication by attackers within this slice of the cybercrime underbelly. Snowballing assaults against the business sector, schools and government organizations are now a primary cybersecurity concern. Making matters worse, is the ever-changing nature of ransomware attacks, complicating the cyber-defender’s job.
https://threatpost.com/ebook-2021-ransomware-emerging-risks/165477/

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