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Re:Ransomware hackers are targeting managed service provider... by rl3 on Saturday September 14, 2019 @03:24PM (#20973121)
Many ransomware attacks originate from a different nation than their target. One could arguably classify these attacks as a threat to national security, albeit primarily in an economic sense. When they hit medical targets though, it inches closer to basically profit-driven terrorism.

With that said, I'd love to see the full power of western signals intelligence loosed on these attackers. If they're going to spend our tax dollars on domestic surveillance, may as well get some use out of those programs.

I've often thought using these capabilities for early detection of active shooters might not be the worst idea either, granted it's far more of a legal and ethical gray area there, at least in the US.

Foreign ransomware attackers who target medical systems however, should pretty much receive the same classification and treatment as normal terrorists. If they're beyond any reasonable legal jurisdiction, then extrajudicial means should be used to eliminate them as a threat. I'm not saying torture and assassination, but messaging. Most for-profit criminals, after they realize they've been targeted and identified by an intelligence agency, will probably change their ways pretty quickly, or even end up being turned into assets.

Re:Ransomware hackers are targeting managed service provider... by lainga on Saturday September 14, 2019 @10:09PM (#20975131)
I'd be all for it, as long as the decision loop involved Tom Cruise and three people in a tank full of water
Re:Ransomware hackers are targeting managed service provider... by rl3 on Sunday September 15, 2019 @11:13AM (#20977554)
Last I checked NSA had spent 10 mil on an ops center modeled after a Star Trek bridge, so frankly I'd be disappointed if they didn't also have a precog-themed room. I just hope it's complete with a cool spatial future UI.
Re:Ransomware hackers are targeting managed service provider... by _eht on Saturday September 14, 2019 @10:55PM (#20975281)
|| Jack Bauer
Re:Ransomware hackers are targeting managed service provider... by cat199 on Sunday September 15, 2019 @01:26AM (#20975721)
> the full power of western signals intelligence loosed on these attackers.

what makes you think it's not? not like it would be overtly disclosed if so..

Re:Ransomware hackers are targeting managed service provider... by rl3 on Sunday September 15, 2019 @11:16AM (#20977573)
>what makes you think it's not? not like it would be overtly disclosed if so..

True, though if I were to guess they probably have their hands full, and ransomware is likely a pretty low priority at the end of the day.

Re:Ransomware hackers are targeting managed service provider... by jdc on Sunday September 15, 2019 @03:03AM (#20975970)
well, that depends on how much of a dent we think the full power of say - even the NSA alone (that's 9-figure/yr of SIGINT) - would put in the problem