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New and Improved CryptXXX Ransomware Rakes In $45,000 In 3 Weeks (arstechnica.com) 124

An anonymous reader writes:Whoever said crime doesn't pay didn't know about the booming ransomware market. A case in point, the latest version of the scourge known as CryptXXX, which raked in more than $45,000 in less than three weeks. Over the past few months, CryptXXX developers have gone back and forth with security researchers. The whitehats from Kaspersky Lab provided a free tool that allowed victims to decrypt their precious data without paying the ransom, which typically reaches $500 or more. Then, CryptXXX developers would tweak their code to defeat the get-out-of-jail decryptor. The researchers would regain the upper hand by exploiting another weakness and so on. Earlier this month, the developers released a new CryptXXX variant that to date still has no decryptor available. Between June 4 and June 21, according to a blog post published Monday by security firm SentinelOne, the Bitcoin address associated with the new version had received 70 bitcoins, which at current prices is valued at around $45,228. The figure doesn't include revenue generated from previous campaigns.

Submission + - FCC Mandates Text-to-911 From All US Wireless Carriers

An anonymous reader writes: On Friday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to require all U.S. wireless carriers and popular messaging applications to support texting to emergency response units via 911. AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile implemented this capability back in 2012; the FCC's vote will make it mandatory for all carriers that operate in the country as well as all messaging applications that interconnect with the SMS structure in the U.S. to follow suit. One technological hurdle this mandate faces is the difficulty of tracing "the exact physical origin of a text message, particularly in residences with multiple floors."

Submission + - NFL Fights to Save TV Blackout Rule Despite $9 Billion Revenue 1

An anonymous reader writes: The 39-year-old blackout rule basically "prevents games from being televised locally when tickets remain unsold." The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in response to a 2011 petition by consumers, has decided to consider abolishing this rule. The National Football League (NFL) has of course objected, claiming that the rule allows it to keep airing their games on free TV. If that were to change and they would have to move to cable, they argue, the "result would represent a substantial loss of consumer welfare." In their petition to the FCC, consumers point out that the NFL charges "exorbitant prices for tickets" which results in lower attendance. The blackout rule, they claim, therefore punishes fans by preventing them from watching the game if the NFL can't sell enough stadium tickets. NFL yearly profits reportedly number in the billions. Even if the FCC supports the petition, however, sports leagues can and probably will privately negotiate blackouts to boost their revenue.

Comment Re:Fixed (Score 1) 599

you're arguing my point. the constitution doesn't dictate drug usage for or against. hence the constitution doesn't outline that you can or cannot put certain things into your body, and therefore you can't argue constitutionality when advocating legalization (which was part of the GP's assertion) QED.

Comment Re:Fixed (Score 1) 599

you spouted nothing more than blind conjecture with the implicit determination to end the wars altogether since we cannot 'win'. the way you are using war here versus a traditional war is an equivocation fallacy. that is, the wars on poverty and crime are not meant to be winnable (they a natural ongoing battle within society itself) whereas the war in iraq might one day be won (as this is a quarrel amongst nations).

also, there's nothing in the constitution that protects your right to smoke pot. you don't seem to understand the definition of 'unconstitutional' and, for that matter, probably couldn't be bothered to read the document (which, by the way, was not written on hemp, as i'm sure you love to tell people).

Comment Re: Lithium is used to fight bipolar disorder (Score 1) 458

So lithium in the water would make people drink more water and get more lithum which makes them drink more water and get more... oh the humanity!

you mean... oh, the profit...?
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Comment Re:does not compute (Score 2, Funny) 119

I like that the sentence begins with the benignly presupposing phrase, "Basically...", as if the material following it is set to simplify and clarify the content of the article. Then it goes on to make things more incoherent, with poor use, of punctuation, in, the explanation,. comma, comma, period.p

In other words, "blarf grrblle grble, lasne en fragne, rabble rabble rabble, chuck norris."

Comment Re:First post. (Score 1) 141

Nah, they probably have automatic updates on. I'd wager it's massive computer labs at high schools or colleges where there either isn't an administrator, the administrator is a fool, or the administrator is lazy. The need doesn't seem all that pressing, but ironically they have some of the strongest internet connections for worms to use.

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