*Lookah this: at OFFENSIVE USE of cryptography.
That's done with "ransomware," but what neologism
can we tag to the crime itself? "Cryptnapping?"
From SANS:
–Hackers Holding Computer Files 'Hostage'
(23 May 2005)
A new type of extortion plot has been identified, unlike any other cyber extortion, according to the FBI. Hackers used an infected website to infect computers with a program that encrypts the users file. Then the criminal demanded money for the key to decrypt the files.
Enhanced versions of this attack threaten large numbers of users with loss of important data, loss of money, or both.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050524/ap_on_hi_te/internet_ransom
[Editors' Note (Paller and Dhamankar): This is a substantial expansion of the extortion threat. Previously large organizations were targeted. Now because infection is indiscriminant, everyone is at risk. To protect your systems: (1) ensure your back ups are current and retrievable, (2) ensure your operating system and browser are fully patched (through automated patching), (3) refrain from opening *any* attachments unless you are expecting them.]
