A ransomware group has hacked the computer system of Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department, and the data they are threatening to make public could cost lives.
As the BBC reports, a Russian ransomware group called Babuk carried out a successful hack on the police department's computer system, but it's currently unclear if they locked the police out. However, Babuk is demanding contact within three days or it will publicly share the details of police informants, which in turn would make them targets.
The Washington, D.C. police department confirmed that unauthorized access occurred and the FBI is now involved. "We are aware of unauthorized access on our server," the department said in a statement. "While we determine the full impact and continue to review activity, we have engaged the FBI to fully investigate this matter."
Babuk backed up its claims of a successful hack by posting screenshots on the dark web of criminal gang activity and intelligence reports allegedly hosted on the police department's servers. The problem the police now face is the fact that even if they pay a ransom, there's no guarantee the information won't still be shared. If the police believe the informant details have been compromised, steps will need to be taken to ensure their safety, which could prove as costly as paying the ransom.
Although ransomware gangs tend to prefer bigger, and potentially more lucrative targets such as businesses, hospitals, and now police departments, we are all at risk of having our computers and devices locked by these gangs. The best way to prevent an expensive ransom demand is to use good ransomware protection.
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