Ransom
Thieves Are Using Ransomware Programs to 'Kidnap' People's Data Until They Pay
The technology uses state-of-the-art encryption to boggle its victims. It's also among the most tried-and-true scams in history, and recently caused chaos at a California hospital.
A Ukrainian Militia Is Holding Dutch Masters' Paintings for Ransom
But these aren't the most savvy art thieves we've seen...
Islamic State Claims to Kill Chinese and Norwegian Hostages, Publishes Photos
The terrorist group released purported photos of the men in the latest issue of its propaganda outlet 'Dabiq'. They were earlier identified as Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad, a 48-year-old from Oslo, and Fan Jinghui, a 50-year-old from Beijing.
Ransom Demanded from UK's TalkTalk After Third Cyberattack This Year
The personal data of the company's 4 million customers may be at risk.
The Islamic State Claims to Have Hostages From China and Norway 'For Sale'
The latest issue of the Islamic State's English-language propaganda magazine contains two advertisement-style listings that seek ransom payments for hostages.
Hacker Has Sudden Change of Heart and Gives Ransomware Victims Their Files Back
After making $169, hacker was "very sorry."
US Government Policy Forbidding Ransom Payments for Hostages Is Apparently Not So Strict
Reports the US helped the family of Warren Weinstein as they tried to negotiate with his captors are part of a long history of hypocrisy in hostage policy, a former negotiator tells VICE News.
French 12-Year-Old Is The Latest Victim Of A Wave Of Kidnappings In Madagascar
The abduction underlines escalating security concerns for the island's Karana community amid allegations of police corruption.
What the Hell Has Mike WiLL Been Making?
After a year spent mostly out of the spotlight, the Atlanta producer is ready to release a mixtape called 'Ransom.' We talked to him about his relationship with Makonnen and what Miley Cyrus meant for pop music.
UK Bans Insurance Firms from Paying Ransoms to Terrorist Groups
London and Washington have maintained a strict policy against such payments in the face of Islamic State executions of British and American captives. It is a position at odds with much of mainland Europe.
The Ransom of Samantha
The detective who showed up at 5 AM was not much older-looking than Samantha's friends. (Not that Samantha ever hung out with clean-cut guys like this. Why should she when there were still heroin addicts in bands who needed a doormat?)
Talking to Somalia's "Most Notorious Pirate"
If you read about Somali piracy for any length of time, one name is bound to come up: Mohammed Abdi “Big Mouth” Hassan. Except he just got busted. I spoke with him a couple of months ago and decided this might be the time to dig it out.