Tag Archive for: Man’

Idaho man charged with hacking city’s computer system

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Idaho man charged with hacking city’s computer system

The Newnan Times-Herald

Robert Purbeck of Meridian, Idaho, was charged with the Northern District of Georgia on March 2 for computer fraud and abuse, access device fraud and wire fraud.

An Idaho man is facing several charges relating to a breach of the city of Newnan’s computer system.

Robert Purbeck of Meridian, Idaho, was charged with the Northern District of Georgia on March 2 for computer fraud and abuse, access device fraud and wire fraud.

Purbeck – who made his first appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge in Boise, Idaho – also is accused of hacking into the computer systems of Atlanta-area medical clinics.

“This alleged cyber-criminal and extortionist targeted the city of Newnan as well as medical clinics in our district, stealing over 60,000 records containing personal information of our citizens,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine.

Erskine said Purbeck also allegedly attempted to extort a Florida orthodontist, threatening to sell the Social Security number of his minor child unless the orthodontist submitted to a payment demand.

“The charges against Purbeck highlight the need to remain vigilant in our cybersecurity efforts,” said Chris Hacker, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta. “The theft of intellectual property to be used to extort citizens is a very serious crime and one the FBI will diligently pursue, no matter if you are hiding behind a computer screen.”

According to court documents, between June 23, 2017 and April 28, 2018, Purbeck allegedly purchased, – on a criminal marketplace – the usernames and passwords to computer servers belonging to multiple Georgia victims. He then allegedly used those credentials to access the victims’ computers, stealing sensitive and personally identifiable information including:

• Medical records and other documents that contained names, addresses, birth dates and social security numbers of over 43,000 people from a Griffin, Georgia, medical clinic;

• Police reports…

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Man charged with breaking into computers in multiple states

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Between June 2017 and April 2018, Purbeck is accused of buying the usernames and passwords to computer servers belonging to multiple Georgia victims and then using that information to access their computer to steal personal information.

Federal prosecutors say Purbeck stole medical records and other documents containing the names, addresses, birthdates and Social Security numbers of more than 43,000 people from a medical clinic in Griffin; the personal information of more than 7,000 people from a medical practice in Locust Grove; and police reports and other documents with personal information of more than 14,000 people from the city of Newnan.

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Man indicted in $27M ransomware fraud case affecting Maryland senior living provider – News

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The Department of Justice last week announced a coordinated international law enforcement action against hackers who defrauded a Maryland senior living provider, among other victims, of more than $27 million.

Sebastien Vachon-Desjardins, a Canadian national, was indicted on conspiracy to commit computer fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, intentional damage to a protected computer, and transmitting a demand in relation to damaging a protected computer.

The indictment, filed in the Middle District of Florida, states that Vachon-Desjardins was part of a hacker ring known as NetWalker that extorted at least $27.6 million from companies, municipalities, hospitals, law enforcement, emergency services, school districts, colleges and universities through ransomware attacks.

As McKnight’s Senior Living previously reported, Lorien Health Services, which offers assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation at nine locations in Maryland, was one of NetWalker’s alleged victims. The data breach last summer reportedly exposed the personal information of 47,754 residents.

The Justice Department said the ransomware attacks specifically targeted the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, “taking advantage of the global crisis to extort victims.” 

The government was able to seize approximately $454,530.19 in cryptocurrency from ransom payments to Vachon-Desjardins, as well as disable a “dark web” hidden resource used to communicate with NetWalker ransomware victims.

As part of the joint international effort, Bulgarian law enforcement seized computers affiliated with NetWalker. A dark web blog that posted the files of NetWalker victims who refused to pay the ransom now displays a graphic indicating that it was seized by government agencies.

According to court documents, once a victim’s computer network is compromised and data are encrypted, actors that deploy NetWalker deliver a ransom note to the victim. Hackers typically gain unauthorized access to a computer network days or weeks before delivering a ransom note, according to the Justice Department.

The department explained that NetWalker operates a “ransomware-as-a-service…

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Man Utd’s January transfer plans in chaos after scouting network hacked in cyber attack on computer database

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MANCHESTER UNITED’S January transfer plans are in chaos after their scouting network was hacked amid the club’s ongoing cyber attack scandal.

The Mirror reports the Red Devils fear confidential material regarding player targets and active scouting missions may have been compromised.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's January transfer plans are up in the air after the club were hacked

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s January transfer plans are up in the air after the club were hackedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

United confirmed last week that the club was hit by a ‘sophisticated operation by organised criminals’.

The assault on their computer systems reportedly left staff still locked out of club email accounts a week after the event.

United have brought in a team of technical experts to contain the damage but could face a £15million fine if they pay a ransom to hackers.

United are owned by the American Glazer family and as the club are listed on the New York Stock Exchange they are subject to US law.

If they paid a fee they would be breaking legislation and could be sanctioned by the US Treasury.

Hackers are understood to be holding United to ransom for millions of pounds with the possibility they will leak sensitive information or block access to it.

The identity of the attackers and the amount being demanded are currently unclear but paying a lump sum would not guarantee information isn’t leaked.

United revealed their internal investigation to assess the extent of the security breach is still ongoing but the club are also at risk of being slapped with a fine in the UK if data security laws are found to have been breached.

The Red Devils have been knocked back by the unexpected disruption with the January transfer window just weeks away.

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United operate an extensive global scouting operation with a sophisticated network and advanced planning is well underway ahead of the next two windows.

As is common with all top clubs, United use a bespoke online scouting system based on analysis, data and video footage.

The report states that the system is being looked at as part of the forensic investigation.

Files are kept on transfer targets and the confidential material inside as well as United stars’ sensitive private information may have been targeted.

United say they are not aware of any…

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