[2018-03-23] US: Hackers Shut Down Government Computers In Atlanta, Demand BTC

[Terraformer]

Hackers have shut down key computer systems in the US city of Atlanta, Georgia and are demanding $51,000 in Bitcoin to reenable the affected systems, Fortune reports today, March 23.

Atlanta’s Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the attack in a press conference on Thursday, March 22. She told members of the press that officials “don’t know the extent [of the attack] or if anyone’s personal data or bank accounts will be compromised. All of us are subject to this attack.”

The attack was first discovered at 5 a.m. on March 22. The City of Atlanta noted that the “outages” were affecting systems some customers use to pay bills and access court-related information.

Continue reading >> https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-hackers-shut-down-government-computers-in-atlanta-demand-bitcoin

[Lampaster]

I don't know how this attack is of great importance but it seems to me that the amount will be $ 51000 dollars sounds ridiculous. It seems to me that this system is hacked the hacker is a loner. I am very sorry that America positions itself as the number one country in the world and at the same time it is vulnerable to such an extent that any hacker can paralyze the infrastructure of any city.

[Harlot]

Damn, I am more afraid on what they can do to those vital information they can see more than the hack they are doing. They have now the power to harvest sensitive information in the state of Atlanta and that could be devastating for them. I really hope that they don't focus on Bitcoin itself as it is only the mode of payment they are asking. They must focus on gaining back the control of their system, because every minute passed the more dangerous the situation for both their citizens and local government be.

[RamonBTC]

That a sad news to all bitcoin enthusiast as its reputation as a tool for hackers is being in question again, this bad image manipulation by the government towards bitcoin is now on test with what will happen next. I hope the extent of this hacking incidents is minimal and have only acquired public records and not the confidential accounts. This may also reflect and affect its price.

[moriskarlov]

These hackers are out of their mind(. This attack may be like a spark in a powder keg. Or this may be the a coordinated attack in order to discredit bitcoin community and to demonstrate Bitcoin as a blood for the body of criminal organizations. Nothing good for us.

[Taki]

That a sad news to all bitcoin enthusiast as its reputation as a tool for hackers is being in question again, this bad image manipulation by the government towards bitcoin is now on test with what will happen next. I hope the extent of this hacking incidents is minimal and have only acquired public records and not the confidential accounts. This may also reflect and affect its price.

Of course the government can take this case as one of the reasons to fight with crypto currencies. But hacking is happening with dollars and euros as well and nobody start to fight with fiat after such situations. I hope the government will not make a point on crypto in this concrete case of hacking and we will not see one new deep drop.

[Glenn Techincs]

$51000 is almost nothing in terms of cases like this one
they should have asked more lol

[richardsNY]

$51000 is almost nothing in terms of cases like this one
they should have asked more lol

It's actually not that low, but even if so, they might have done that on purpose -- the lower the amount, the higher the chances are that the victim might actually start paying the ransom. If you think logically, you don't gain anything by giving the hackers what they want, but only make them stronger and also incentivize them to keep doing this because it apparently works then. Investigation will turn out what the actual damage is, where after that their systems will be restored to how they were before the attack. I don't even for a second think these bastards will see one single penny for their nasty practices. On the other hand, it might also be a staged/faked hack to make Bitcoin look bad....

[jhenfelipe]

it might also be a staged/faked hack to make Bitcoin look bad....

Weird, but I first thought that it might be the case. On the other hand, aren't they too busy to fake a hack and could they be that desperate to make Bitcoin bad? By thinking again, I don't think so. Also, hackers demanding for bitcoin isn't that new anymore, is it?

[Alex077]

That a sad news to all bitcoin enthusiast as its reputation as a tool for hackers is being in question again, this bad image manipulation by the government towards bitcoin is now on test with what will happen next. I hope the extent of this hacking incidents is minimal and have only acquired public records and not the confidential accounts. This may also reflect and affect its price.

I totally agree with you. This kind of things put into the risk whole bitcoin's ecosystem. Also, it is strange that such a good hacker is asking for a ransom in this cryptocurrency. As for me, it is more understandable to ask for a ransom in a Dash or Monero.

[1Referee]

On the other hand, aren't they too busy to fake a hack and could they be that desperate to make Bitcoin bad?

It actually might be the case, but we won't find out because we strictly depend on what type of information they release. And trust me, governments are very much desperate to degrade themselves like that. This article points out how even central banks are sponsoring social media stars to spread fear about crypto. They paid a Youtube partner almost $27,000 to spread "awareness".

Also, hackers demanding for bitcoin isn't that new anymore, is it?

Nope, but you know the media; if it involves Bitcoin being featured in negative happenings, it has to be pointed out so everyone can see it. Bitcoin is hot and for that reason attracts readers and clicks, plus the media loves to hammer down on Bitcoin. As always, it's the big dog that enjoys the most shine and hate at the same time.

On another note, this once again shows how shitty the security standards are within the different departments of the government. I personally noticed when renewing my drivers license last year, some of their computers were still running on Windows XP. It's mind boggling how they so blatantly ignore how important IT security is, and for what? It all comes down to how they try to cut down on operational cost. The few bucks they try to save right now will be peanuts compared to how much they will have to invest when things go horribly wrong on their side.

[Sir Cross]

These hackers are out of their mind(. This attack may be like a spark in a powder keg. Or this may be the a coordinated attack in order to discredit bitcoin community and to demonstrate Bitcoin as a blood for the body of criminal organizations. Nothing good for us.

Other than just a coordinated attack to discredit bitcoin, it's a sweet way of gaining $51,000. It's going to stir up some FUD and give a bad image to bitcoin again but I don't think it's the primary purpose of the hackers.

Atlanta better do something about their system and find a way to recover and secure it. If they ever catch those hackers, they should hire them or find out what security measures they lacked on which allowed a hack. If they don't something about it soon, people's personal data is at risk.

[Kprawn]

Blame the people {hackers} not the tool. {Bitcoin}

Would this be mainstream news, if the hackers demanded payment via PayPal or Credit cards? No, it would not have been,

but the moment when Bitcoin is used, mainstream media jump onto the opportunity to mention it. What did these hackers

use before Bitcoin was used? {Wire transfers / Credit cards / PayPal ....}