The rapid growth of broadband home computer connections may be inadvertently fueling what police suspect could be the start of a new crime wave — cyber-blackmail. As more homes connect to faster delivery systems, their computers are becoming vulnerable to hackers and virus writers who can turn them into “zombie” machines, ready to carry out any malevolent command. Favorite targets for the extortionists — many thought to come from eastern Europe — have been casinos and retailers, but one recent high-profile victim was the Port of Houston. “At the end of the day, this is old-fashioned protection racket, just using high-tech,” said a spokeswoman for Britain’s Hi-Tech Crime Unit. Wednesday, UK cyber crime cops made a plea to businesses to report attacks against their Internet businesses following a recent string of incidents with the blackmailing trademark. Full Story
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