The cyber cell of the CBI was caught by surprise when a Delhi-based diagnostic centre recently approached the agency sleuths, complaining about a malicious programme called “Ransomware”.
The cyber cell of the CBI was caught by surprise when a Delhi-based diagnostic centre recently approached the agency sleuths, complaining about a malicious programme called “Ransomware”. The diagnostic centre’s server, it seems, was infected by a malware which encrypted all its files and the hackers asked them to pay a “ransom” to retrieve the data, sources said. The hackers demanded to be paid in “Bitcoins”.
The CBI’s chief press information officer R.K. Gaur told this newspaper, “Cyber cell of the agency has registered a case in this regard under section 384 (extortion) of the IPC and other sections of the IT Act”. Ransomware is computer malware that covertly installs on a victim’s computer, executes a cryptovirology attack that adversely affects it, and demands a ransom to restore it. Most Ransomware attacks in India are crypto-ransomware. In this attack, all the data of connected devices is encrypted and the user cannot use it until they pay up. Sources further said, “The attackers demanded $1,300 in ‘Bitcoins’ as ransom from the promoters of the diagnostic centre in return for sharing the key to restore the centre’s computer systems”.
Bitcoin is a type of digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds. It operates independently and has nothing to do with banking channels. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is yet to come out with a clear regulatory framework for bitcoins, which have gained currency across the world in recent times.
However, for the time being the central back has issued an advisory cautioning people against the use of bitcoins and other virtual currencies.
