DC Video Security System infected with Ransomware

[zero-degrees]

Interesting story about Ransomware taking over 75% of Washington DC's security cameras offline. While ransomware continues to show up in mainstream media as it takes over hospitals and local government offices (Since stupid people continue to open email attachments) this is one of the first time's I've seen a video system compromised. The reason this is surprising to me is these are normally self contained systems and do not have a large user base physically on them in order to allow an avoidable intrusion like email download or message attachment infection.

Obviously this is a best case type situation since their isn't really any "important files" that have been lost and they simply removed the hard drives and installed new ones bring the system back online.

Hackers hit D.C. police closed-circuit camera network, city officials disclose

http://gizmodo.com/report-cctv-system-in-washington-dc-was-hacked-before-1791734583

 

[alastairstevenson]

That's gotta be those mythical Russians having their lulz. Coz they can.

 

[tangent]

Obviously this is a best case type situation since their isn't really any "important files" that have been lost and they simply removed the hard drives and installed new ones bring the system back online.

until this sort of thing becomes commonplace and is used to cover up evidence of something significant.