The US Government is joining the fight against ransomware!

Security

With the ransomware news accelerating

• The FBI says Russian ransomware group is behind meat supplier cyberattack

• Fujifilm becomes latest ransomware victim as White House urges business leaders to take action

• Russian Hackers Target Human Rights Orgs Using Account of US Aid Agency

• FBI identifies 16 Conti ransomware attacks striking US healthcare, first responders

• Ireland's health service remains 'significantly' disrupted weeks after attack

• Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack linked to a single VPN login

• Hackers use Colonial pipeline ransomware news for phishing attack

and the impact broadening

• Imperva: 75.9% of stolen data in breaches involve personal information

• Industrial systems under siege from ransomware

the US government steps into the fight

• F.B.I. Director Compares Danger of Ransomware to 9/11 Terror Threat

• White House Warns Companies to Act Now on Ransomware Defenses

• DOJ to Treat Ransomware Hacks Like Terrorism Now: Here's the Full Memo

• Justice Department seizes domains used in Nobelium-USAID phishing campaign

• DOJ charges Latvian national for helping develop the Trickbot malware

Here’s help to reduce the risk

• Ransomware: Do these three things to help protect your network from attacks

• How to use Google's new dependency mapping tool to find security flaws buried in your projects

The security risks are not just from ransomware: Chinese cybercriminals spent three years creating a new backdoor to spy on governments, raising the question who is really behind this.

As it’s difficult to understand all the vulnerabilities, even simple activities can lead to very serious leaks: US soldiers reportedly leaked nuclear info online accidentally, by using flashcard apps

Privacy

The lists of privacy encroaching technologies and services is ever expanding

• This facial recognition website can turn anyone into a cop — or a stalker

• Should Alexa Read Our Moods?

• These Apps Collect the Most Personal Data

Which leads to the point that even big tech is starting to recognize the problem and is pulling back a little:

• Apple updates AirTags to address stalking concerns

• Do you trust Amazon to share your internet connection with others? How to opt out

• After 75,000 Echo arbitration demands, Amazon now lets you sue it

Even Google is making it harder for Android apps to track you once you’ve opted out. However, it may be difficult to opt out in the first place:Google reportedly made it harder to find Android privacy settings

Government is pushing back too:

• States pass laws limiting use of DNA searches for criminal investigations

• King County ban on police use of facial recognition software spotlights local movements across US

Why does it matter? Here are some informed discussions:

• Shoshana Zuboff Explains Why You Should Care About Privacy

• If facial recognition is not regulated now, it will never be used responsibly

Regulation

As is becoming expected, regulation is moving forward in Europe:

• Facebook Faces Two Antitrust Inquiries in Europe

• Europe’s cookie consent reckoning is coming