On the 14th of May, 2021, the Irish public healthcare system was hacked using the Conti ransomware that had embedded itself into the system two months prior. It made its entry after an employee opened a Microsoft Excel file containing the ransomware from a phishing email. Despite the infected computer’s antimalware programme detecting it on the 31st of March, the ransomware spread easily because of a human error—the antimalware programme was set to monitor, not eliminate, threats. Nobody caught on to it until it was too late. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
