Young Hackers Target Las Vegas Casinos

September 14, 2023: Young hackers have been targeting Las Vegas casinos, demanding hefty ransoms in exchange for not releasing stolen data. The hackers believed to be in their early 20s, have used ransomware to encrypt casino files, making them inaccessible to the casinos until the ransom is paid.

The hackers have already targeted two major casinos in Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment. The casinos paid the ransom in both cases to avoid releasing their data.

The FBI is investigating the attacks but has not yet identified the hackers. Cybersecurity experts believe the hackers are likely located overseas, making them difficult to track down.

The attacks are a reminder of the growing threat of ransomware attacks. Ransomware is malware that encrypts files, making them inaccessible to the victim until a ransom is paid. Ransomware attacks have become increasingly common in recent years, targeting various organizations, including businesses, governments, and hospitals.

Here are some tips for businesses to protect themselves from ransomware attacks:

• Back up data regularly. This will give you a copy of your data in case it is encrypted by ransomware.
• Educate employees about ransomware. Make sure your employees know what ransomware is and how to avoid it.
• Keep software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help protect your systems from ransomware attacks.
• Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. This will make it more difficult for hackers to access your systems.

Ransomware attacks can be devastating for businesses, but there are steps that businesses can take to protect themselves. By following the tips above, businesses can reduce their risk of ransomware attacks.