Technology

As ransomware cases surge, the cyber criminals almost almost always demand, and receive, payment in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. The world's largest meat supplier, JBS, announced Wednesday that it paid $11 million in Bitcoin to hackers in a recent ranso

National

How Bitcoin Has Fueled Ransomware Attacks

10:50am June 10, 2021

by Greg Myre

If you're planning a multi-million dollar ransomware attack, there's really only one way to collect - with cryptocurrency. It's fast. It's easy. Best of all, it's largely anonymous and hard to trace.

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President Biden on Wednesday rescinded former President Donald Trump's actions targeting Chinese-owned apps TikTok and WeChat.

Politics & Government

Biden Drops Trump's Ban on TikTok And WeChat — But Will Continue The Scrutiny

9:48pm June 09, 2021

by Bobby Allyn

President Biden revokes Trump-era executive orders against TikTok and WeChat, but national security experts say the scrutiny of the apps will continue despite the reset in relations.

World News

Twitter Remains Shut Down In Nigeria After Deleting President's Tweet

4:14pm June 09, 2021

by Jason Beaubien

Human rights groups and international diplomats are denouncing the continued shutdown of Twitter in Nigeria. The government banned the social media network, threatening to prosecute anyone using it.

Politics & Government

Senate-Passed Bill Encourages Tech Competition, Especially With China

7:52am June 09, 2021

by John Ruwitch

The bill appropriates nearly $250 billion for science and technology in a bid to counter China's rise. It had strong bipartisan support — a sign of how large the perceived threat from China looms.

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National

The Reason Behind The Surge In Cyberattacks

4:24pm June 08, 2021

by David Gura

High-profile ransomware attacks are surging as cybercriminals take advantage of weak IT systems. The surge in popularity of cryptocurrencies is also spurring bad actors.

A man holds his vaccination reminder card after having received his first shot at a pop-up vaccination site next to Maximo Gomez Park, also known as Domino Park, on May 3 in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami.

Fake COVID Vaccine Cards Are Being Sold Online. Using One Is A Crime

1:45pm June 08, 2021

by Jaclyn Diaz

Officials have pleaded with tech giants to keep the documents off their sites, but Amazon briefly had blank vaccination cards for sale this week. They could land their bearers in prison.

A technician works at a semiconductor fabrication facility in Singapore.

Biden's Plan To Reduce Shortages Of Products That Are Critical For National Security

1:17pm June 08, 2021

by Asma Khalid

The decision comes after the coronavirus pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in an already fragile supply chain system.

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India Demands Social Media Firms Help It Track Misinformation Online

6:19am June 08, 2021

India's new social media rules give the government power to block certain content and break encryption. It's the latest in a standoff over censorship, privacy and free speech.

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Former Hacker Sheds Light On How Cyber Criminals Operate

6:08am June 08, 2021

Hackers in Russia are responsible for recent ransomware attacks. NPR's Leila Fadel talks to threat intelligence analyst Dmitry Smilyanets about cyber criminals.

National

Government Collaboration Needed To Prevent Ransomware Attacks

4:46pm June 07, 2021

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Christopher D. Roberti, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's authority on cybersecurity, about how businesses are handling the threat of ransomware attacks.