When talking to reporters last week, he stated Columbus was one of 50 cities to be targeted by ransomware attackers this year. That's after 95 cities were hit last year. Mayor Ginther pulled his data from the New Zealand-based cyber security company,I track the activities of criminal gangs as they attack victims and potential victims," Emsisoft cyber analyst Luke Connolly told ABC 6 News on Friday. "I honestly think it's somewhat random. The criminal gangs will throw...
"The threat actors... it's in their best interest to be upfront and public about it," he said. "I don't for a number of reasons. First of all, there are ethical and legal reasons. There's private information there."Connolly is currently tracking 155 criminal gangs based out of countries like Russia, Iran, China, North Korea, and Belarus. He says the criminal enterprises work like companies, with managers and departments of development.
Emsisoft tracked ransomware attacks happening in Circleville, Ottawa County, Huber Heights, Defiance, Columbus, Cleveland, and the Ohio Lottery Commission since the beginning of last year. As Mayor Ginther announced an agenda for a national cybersecurity plan, Connolly said increased investments to technical cyber protection and employee education need to play roles. Ultimately, Emsisoft states ransomware victims must stop meeting demands and providing the massive financial incentives.