Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, that prevents you from accessing your computer files, systems, or networks and demands you pay a ransom for their return. Ransomware attacks can cause costly disruptions to operations and the loss of critical information and data.
You can unknowingly download ransomware onto a computer by opening an email attachment, clicking an ad, following a link, or even visiting a website that s embedded with malware.
Once the code is loaded on a computer, it will lock access to the computer itself or data and files stored there. More menacing versions can encrypt files and folders on local drives, attached drives, and even networked computers.
Joshua Polloso Epifaniou sentenced for hacking websites, extortion
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A Cypriot hacker has pleaded guilty to a pair of federal charges after admitting that he hacked the websites of several U.S. organizations, stole data and then threatened to disclose it unless a ransom was paid, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
Joshua Polloso Epifaniou, 21, of Nicosia, Cyprus, pleaded guilty this week to computer fraud conspiracy and obtaining information from a protected computer. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he s sentenced in March, according to court documents.
Police in Cyprus arrested Epifaniou in February 2018, and he was extradited to the U.S. in June 2020, according to the Justice Department. He has remained in custody since. The case marked the first time that Cyprus extradited a suspect to the U.S. to face charges under a treaty signed in 2006.
Hacker Admits Targeting Major US Websites
News Highlights: Hacker Admits Targeting Major US Websites.
A hacker who was the very first Cypriot citizen to be extradited to the United States has been guilty of extorting major US website operators with stolen user data.
Joshua Polloso Epifaniou was a teenager when he started hacking websites, stealing information and threatening to release it if he didn’t receive a ransom.
The 21-year-old resident of Nicosia, Cyprus, was arrested in February 2018 by Cypriot authorities. In July last year, Epifaniou delivered to the US to be charged in both Georgia and Arizona.
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According to US authorities, Epifaniou searched the website traffic rankings between at least October 2014 and November 2016 to identify targets to extort. He then partnered with fellow conspirators to steal personally identifiable information from user and customer databases of victim websites.
Hacker Admits Targeting Major US Websites
A hacker who became the first ever Cypriot national to be extradited to the United States has pleaded guilty to extorting major American website operators with stolen user data.
Joshua Polloso Epifaniou was a teenager when he started hacking into websites, stealing information, and threatening to release it if he didn t receive a ransom.
The 21-year-old resident of Nicosia, Cyprus, was arrested by Cypriot authorities in February 2018. In July last year, Epifaniou was extradited to the US to face charges in both Georgia and Arizona.
According to US authorities, between at least October 2014 and November 2016, Epifaniou searched website traffic rankings to identify targets to extort. He then worked with co-conspirators to steal personally identifiable information from user and customer databases belonging to victim websites.
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