U.S. to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says • Hacker News Board

Re: U.S. to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says

#21

Post by TameAntelope » Thu, Jun 03, 2021, 9:41 PM UTC

ocdtrekkie wrote: post #2

Whelp, that's the end of cryptocurrency... probably should sell your HODLings now. If we're going to Patriot Act the crud out of ransomware, Bitcoin is gonna be illegal.

How much success, historically, has the US government had at regulating math? I can't think of any, but it's not really my specialty so I'm curious if anyone's encountered a successful example.

Re: U.S. to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says

#22

Post by JumpCrisscross » Thu, Jun 03, 2021, 9:42 PM UTC

thereare5lights wrote: post #20

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #4

Curious if this will result in extraterritorial enforcement. For example, it's clear Moscow is either unwilling or unable to prosecute cyber criminals within its border.

We already do have extraterritorial enforcement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraterritorial_jurisdiction#... In fact, I would be surprised if we *didn't* have extraterritorial enforcement of any ransomware laws.

> We already do have extraterritorial enforcement

Hackers in Russia extorting Americans is illegal under U.S. law; that's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The U.S. government going into Russia (or Pakistan or Ethiopia) to punish those hackers without the home country's permission is extraterritorial enforcement.

We have a lot of precedence with the former. The latter's use is more limited, for obvious reasons.

Re: U.S. to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says

#23

Post by ffhhj » Thu, Jun 03, 2021, 9:43 PM UTC

bityard wrote: post #12

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #4

Curious if this will result in extraterritorial enforcement. For example, it's clear Moscow is either unwilling or unable to prosecute cyber criminals within its border.

I read that as "extraterrestrial enforcement" which sounded way more exciting.

They still need research on Elerium-115

Re: U.S. to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says

#24

Post by WrtCdEvrydy » Thu, Jun 03, 2021, 9:43 PM UTC

okareaman wrote: post #14

WrtCdEvrydy wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, opening it up and seeing 30%+ gains in a day does give me a sort of high.

Opening it up and seeing 30%+ losses in a day must be quite a come down

You're not wrong.

Re: U.S. to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says

#25

Post by chongli » Thu, Jun 03, 2021, 9:43 PM UTC

What about the other side of this? Instead of seeking backdoors and using them to spy on Americans, the NSA should be stepping up their game and securing vital infrastructure and domestic businesses against these attacks.

Re: U.S. to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says

#26

Post by Hermel » Thu, Jun 03, 2021, 9:44 PM UTC

What’s next? Using anti-terror laws for copyright enforcement?

Re: U.S. to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says

#27

Post by WrtCdEvrydy » Thu, Jun 03, 2021, 9:44 PM UTC

cammikebrown wrote: post #18

WrtCdEvrydy wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, that's what happened with drugs. The price of drugs actually dropped to zero and it's now impossible to get LSD.

It’s funny you say that, there actually was a huge LSD bust in 2000 that did make it harder to find for awhile. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Leonard_Pickard

Right, but in 2021, I'm sure you can find LSD at an inflated price due to government action.

Re: U.S. to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says

#28

Post by stonepresto » Thu, Jun 03, 2021, 9:44 PM UTC

If the USG treats this even close to the way they treat terrorism in regards to policy and funding, I’m curious what that will look like and how nation-states harboring those people will react.

Re: U.S. to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says

#29

Post by reader_mode » Thu, Jun 03, 2021, 9:45 PM UTC

WrtCdEvrydy wrote: post #3

ocdtrekkie wrote: post #2

Whelp, that's the end of cryptocurrency... probably should sell your HODLings now. If we're going to Patriot Act the crud out of ransomware, Bitcoin is gonna be illegal.

Yeah, that's what happened with drugs. The price of drugs actually dropped to zero and it's now impossible to get LSD.

Difference is if corporations and funds can't hold bitcoin/crypto - you're back to $1/BTC. The whole value proposition of BTC hype bubble bursts if it's illegal in a major market like USA. Don't doubt some cyberpunk nuts will keep playing with it.

Re: U.S. to give ransomware hacks similar priority as terrorism, official says

#30

Post by rejectedandsad » Thu, Jun 03, 2021, 9:45 PM UTC

They absolutely should. We are in the midst of a cyberwar against criminal gangs sheltered by a kleptocracy that already attempted political sabotage against this country. All options must be on the table including physical retaliation - the threat isn’t going away.