Bitcoin price news – live: Crypto market surges as Facebook ends cryptocurrency ad ban

The technologies you expect may be in vogue now, but the question is will anyone remember them next year? Trends in different technologies are rapidly disappearing as we see that many advances are being made at lightning speed.
What trend will it follow in 2018?
Let’s take a look at some of the hot market trends that many offshore software development companies are following

• Blockchain Technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Progressive Web applications
• Low code development
• Security

Blockchain Technology
Due to the Bitcoin revolution, Blockchain gained its popularity in the technology market. Now, most businesses and industries are embracing Blockchain technology so fast. Blockchain basically describes a technology that allows you to store data rather than computers that are fixed in specific locations. This development of blockchain technology provides much faster transactions and authentication without costly intermediaries.
Many software development companies like Health are looking for applications in administrations, supply chain and medical data to streamline and streamline their process. Blockchain technology is a must for startups to see BlockPass, bitTicket and ALTR as blockchain development leaders like IBM, Amazon and Oracle. These leading companies are introducing Blockchain platforms.

Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence and machine learning also continue to be important in 2018. Some reports show that almost 40% of businesses and brands will automate their process next year. Thanks to the integration of artificial intelligence solutions for the execution of specific tasks, these businesses will gain a competitive advantage and provide higher quality services to their customers.
Practical applications of artificial intelligence include voice assistant applications, home help, information services, smartphones, and big data applications. Big brands like Google, Facebook and Slack are leaders in the development of artificial intelligence. Google’s latest plan is to focus its algorithm on artificial technology in the near future. Artificial Intelligence Startups to See: Element Artificial Intelligence and UIPath.

Progressive Web Applications
PWAs (progressive web applications) are actually websites and web pages, but they look like conformist applications or original applications. This application offers the latest and greatest features of browser technology. Gartner listed Progressive web applications in its software technology trend report. These applications gained momentum and are expected to continue in the coming years.
To provide the same level of user experience, Google has begun developing browser features that will work like mobile apps. Progressive web applications are less complex to develop and maintain a popular mobile application that adds to their popularity. To provide easy access to customers with a broader base, many companies such as healthcare and banking are using progressive web applications.

Low code development
Low-code development (LCD) is surpassing the usual method of application development, as the latter is a labor-intensive process. With the help of low-code development in the industry, small and repetitive development tasks are greatly automated and this eliminates the group of developers and technical analysts. According to the PC magazine’s report on low-code development, these are some of the best platforms: Appian, Medix, Google App Maker and Power Apps. The magazine also said that the main use of low-code development includes database applications, microservices applications and Omni-channel platforms.

Security
Various headlines report cyberattacks against very large companies, but small and medium-sized businesses and startups acknowledge the need for software security. A study by the institute found that 60% of small and medium-sized brands face cyberattacks.
If your business is using the Internet and you have a website, there is a high chance that your business or brand will be cyber-attacked. Most of the attacks took place through automated vulnerable software.

Conclusion
In the years to come, software development will be more exciting than ever. So what’s ahead? These are the 5 hot trends in software development that will take place in 2019 and probably beyond this. In addition to these technologies, there are many other technological advancements that could benefit your business in the near future. If you’re running a software development business, these are the top trends you can’t skip.

To be a successful Forex trader, you need to start learning how trading works.

Before you decide to start trading currency, you need to do some research. You can also attend seminars or online courses. You need to understand the key concepts of forex trading before you decide to become an investor.

The first step in becoming a forex trader is to get start-up capital. If you have internet access, you can run your forex trading business from anywhere in the world. Forex trading does not require a lot of start-up capital, so a beginner can start with little money. Make sure the broker you choose understands that you are a start-up investor so that they can accept the little capital you raise.

Choosing the right broker is very important. Before choosing an agent, do extensive research and get online feedback on them. First, you can get a number of brokers, and then compare them according to their load, such as minimum account deposits, fees charged, and transaction size flexibility. There are two types of brokers: Electronic Communications Network (ECN) and Market Makers. ECN brokers will charge you a commission for all the trades you make through them. They are the best brokers for beginners in forex trading. Market makers may not be very safe because they are trading against you.

Once you have chosen the right broker and made a deposit with them, you need to develop your trading plan. This plan should include the tools you want to use and your forex trading strategies.

It has gained worldwide popularity as a modern form of digital asset cryptocurrency for easier and faster financial transactions and has opened up new and advanced ways of making payments to increase interest in the field to raise public awareness. Due to the growing demand for this global phenomenon, new traders and business owners are willing to invest in this currency platform despite fluctuating prices, but it is quite difficult to choose the best one when the market is full. Bitcoins on the cryptocurrency list are one of the oldest and most popular in recent years. It is basically used to sell goods and services and has become part of the so-called blockchain computer system, which allows anyone to use it, thus increasing the madness among the people.

Ordinary people willing to buy BTC can use an online wallet system to securely buy money or credit cards and store thousands of BTC foundations around the world conveniently and as assets for the future. Due to its popularity, many business investors are now accepting it as a cross-border payment and the rise is unstoppable. With the advent of the internet and mobile devices, information gathering has become quite easy, as a result of which BTC financial transactions are available and its price is set according to the options and preferences of the people, so a profitable investment is achieved. Recent surveys have also shown that instability is good for BTC exchange, as if there is instability and political unrest in the country as banks suffer, investing in BTC could surely be a better option. Again, bitmap transaction fees are relatively inexpensive and the technology is more convenient for making contracts, thus attracting crowds. BTC can also be converted into various fiat currencies and is used for securities trading, securities, document stamps, public awards and vice versa.

Another advanced blockchain project is Ethereumor ETH, which has cost much more than a digital form of cryptocurrency, and its popularity in recent decades has allowed millions of people to hold wallets. With the ease of the online world, ETH has enabled retailers and business organizations to accept it for commercial purposes, so it could be the future of the financial system. Being an open source, ETH collaborates on various business and industry projects, thereby increasing their availability. Again, unlike the bit currency used to exchange money on a digital network, ETH can be used for a variety of applications in addition to financial transactions and does not require the prior consent of governments because it can be used by people with portable devices. Ether’s price has also remained stable and avoids the turmoil of third-party intermediaries, such as lawyers or notaries, whose exchanges are mostly software-based, making ETH now the second best cryptocurrency to invest.

SOFIAA INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BROKER DWC LLC, owned by Sylvie Potignon, is an international brokerage firm. Advises and provides transactional services in real estate and investment search. The company assists in the structure, logistics and management of real estate through the coordination of inter-functional groups.

The main role of the organization is to study and model real estate. It also includes transaction management with deep market knowledge and understanding. The company aims to establish and provide a point of contact for all international customers who want to buy or sell non-functional products.

About Sylvie Potignon

A French and Congolese national, Sylvie Potignon is a Congolese native of Brazzaville. She is an intelligent business woman who started out in entrepreneurship with the determination and thought of creating various businesses on her continent and abroad.

As an entrepreneur, Sylvie Potignon established innovative working methods to improve and enhance her company’s customer portfolio. This led to the acquisition of fixed assets in the real estate management with the oil sector, allowing it to raise a large amount of funds in the coming years. These funds contributed to the creation of Sophia Beach Amusement Park and its multi-service company.

Areas of activity of SOFIAA INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BROKER DWC LLC

Headquartered in Dubai, Dubai, the company has the slogan “We are all over the world”. With its multilingual skills, knowledge of the global business landscape and a strong network, SOFIAA INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BROKER DWC LLC works in the following geographical areas:

• North Africa, Central Africa and West Africa

• Asia

• Middle East

• Europe

• South America and the Caribbean

Values ​​of SOFIAA INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BROKER DWC LLC

The company has three core values ​​that it holds and adheres to at all times. Among others:

• The duty of transparency

• Duty to provide information

• The duty of loyalty

Skills of SOFIAA INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BROKER DWC LLC

As a freight broker and independent broker, SOFIAA INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BROKER DWC LLC intervenes and coordinates between a seller and a buyer. Their analytical skills and market knowledge help them to make an accurate and appropriate investment decision for a particular case and help their clients do the same. The company creates a platform that allows its customers and clients to think and work around the world.

The company has acquired some important skills over the years and is now using it in customer orders. Some of these include:

• Initiate and establish B2B connections in all areas and areas of activity.

• Subcontract and search for products, services and customers for factories, farmers, producers, businesses and traders.

• Coordinate and cooperate with raw material suppliers, industrial companies and international buyers and sellers.

Financial view of SOFIAA INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BROKER DWC LLC

In terms of rights and finances, the company, as a liaison or partner, may receive commission and remuneration for all successful client work. Their rewards and financial achievements would vary and take on a different and different form and name, depending on the type of contract that binds the two parties.

The company can file a claim on the compensation insurance with the principal amount. This can be done if the opposing party, the customer, violates any of the terms of the contract. Their overall commission depends on the percentage of the billing of the amount paid to the seller and varies.

“AI” … Human!

“Which came first, chicken or egg?”

A few years ago, you might remember a publication that described the growing dependence on machines, devices, and “AI.” On several occasions, I have tried to raise awareness of this phenomenon of the ability of artificial intelligence to create and / or regenerate itself … over and over again. What was once a “science fiction” story, in vivid color, has led to a scientific fact.

The article “Device Machine Dependent” describes cases and descriptions designed to mimic the actions, abilities, and appearance (s) of a robot or robotics … “Human-like”; “The image of its creator!”

How many times have you been in your car and taken part in a shout-out game or argument interaction with your ‘GPS’ or “on-board interface?” Ah, well … aren’t you angry and screaming when the voice behind the device gives you the wrong or wrong directions? Sure.

Assistant author Selene Yeager spoke about a PhD student at Stanford University who is an expert in Human-Technology-Interaction.

“We (humans) get confused and angry because we don’t know what‘ GPS ’is‘ thinking ’,” says David Miller.

This author (yours really), however, is and has been to blame for this particular type of behavior. I remember typing in one direction (when that wasn’t satisfying, I tried to enter the voice command option), the damn thing told me; he ordered me to take a freeway and exit … I continued. When I realized that the directions were completely wrong, the damn voices shouted “The Highway To Hell!”

We drove sixty miles outside and away from the planned “Pocono Mountain” destination.

Well, I’m here to tell you that at one point (oh, like so many) I went crazy and started yelling at the voice inside the ‘GPS system’. Miller said: “In the future, when your GPS gives you directions, it might give you a reason to have a better two-way relationship.”

… Yes Yes. I’m glad when and when things take me to my unknown destination … the right way! I don’t mean that it’s very hard on the device … it’s a pretty good little tool when it works as expected.

“A Bite Of The Apple” addresses the ‘IT’ community about Apple’s major issues with its position on “hidden and proprietary practices” in the tech world; hardware and software, especially its hardware products. Apple’s “IT” decision makers accept an ergonomic flaw that reveals a preference. Above the function they say the “Apple-like” shape, which means that the iMAC connectors on the back of the machine are designed and / or decided by anal retention.

Their “IT” management team describes a possible meaning of “Skin Retention”. It is a point on a curve at which the curvature changes from convex to convex or vice versa. It can also be called a “Flex Point”. Apple management says its proprietary devices have a greater impact on business user marketing. Apple devices are entering the business world because it is liked by IT managers, not users.

The ‘End User’ report emphasizes that the product (s) are good and excellent in terms of ease of use, design, and reliability. Does anyone remember the definition of cloning?

Many of us have computers in our homes today. And there are many others who feel, and believe in, while using home-based robots like “Alexa” or IBM’s “Watson” and a wide range of cloned devices that clean, control, and coordinate their daily lives.

Where is your cell phone?

The “Internet” was a desktop computer that was a central connection. Then it was ‘Computerized’. “Tablets” are still popular these days, but “Smart-Phone” surpasses them all. All you have to do is look around … Look and see how many people walk, run, ride, drive and fly … dependent on these devices that they don’t constantly give up, to sustain their existence and their lives. this planet.

Not long ago, a vicious computer virus fought to control 400,000 computers in more than 160 countries in one of the worst international cyber attacks and computer infections.

The virus blocked all access to programs, files, mainframes, and networks unless the computer owner paid for the rescue. Funds that could be obtained could only be paid for through “Bitcoin”.

Bitcoin is an almost impossible online currency. Bitcoin currency is being traded to buy a “rescue key”. Victims have often paid money not only to get the key to unlock their computer (or) system, but also to lose money and data.

This event should serve as the main wake-up call for users by promoting a lot of the “procedure” (s) “to be done” on computers or Internet devices in their care or use, and viruses, botnets, web browsers, malware, worms, etc.

I certainly agree with Doug Shadel that users / owners regularly suggest backing up your important files to an external drive or remote storage service; a content blocker running in your web browser at all times; leave the targeted websites to you immediately without your permission; use a reputable antivirus program – keep it up to date; make sure your software (and anti-virus software) is up to date; do not click on links or open attachments from unfamiliar email addresses; and only buy legal software – and register.

Do you remember the scene from “Star Wars” where the bartender shouts ‘Luke Skywalker’ to get his droids out of his establishment?

This scene is the result of human prejudices against machines or robots. Detroit, Michigan’s automotive industry and personnel are fully managed by robots (or robotics). Robots are performing large operations on humans and animals. Robots are preparing, packaging and shipping food, driving cars and diagnosing human diseases and ailments. Robots are answering phones and diverting calls. Robots are calling you on your phones, trying to sell you overdue bills, appointments, prescriptions, and selling goods and other services. Robots are building bridges, buildings and houses. Robots are doing everything humans or animals can and have done. Ask yourself … how many jobs are being lost and lost because of robots?

“A lot of companies are using sentiment analysis to measure social media and / or network mood (s) … but it takes new tactics and skills to get a focus,” said Techweb’s Doug Henschen.

“There is no doubt that new sets of tactics and skills are needed to gain a foothold in the new world of IT, BI, Communication and Analytics.” This conclusion is postulated in a published article, “Destruction and Creation – A New Jobs Hyperbole.” No one can deny the massive and dramatic changes that have taken place in the ‘New World Economy’ of this century. What will happen in the coming centuries – will we be “Star-Trek-Like”? What about a world like “Logan’s Run” and a future? Will the robots become new judges, lawyers, congressional nominees, senators or presidents? Those of us who are conscious, interested, and / or motivated in the pursuit of the machine kingdom of humanity must become masters of both sides of IT / BI.

AI: Artificial intelligence … is the opposite of natural intelligence (Human / Animal-like) … the ability of a computer or robot to do what humans or animals normally or normally do, with intelligence or intelligent abilities. ability to think.

How long will it take for humans (humans) to completely reject “AI” – to become our replacements completely and utterly opposed to being our temporary servant?

“Until when? It’s not long!”

Now, isn’t this argument asking you …

“AI” … Human?

“Which came first, chicken or egg?”

Until next time …

‘G’

Investing in Crypto Currency market space can be a bit daunting for a traditional investor, as investing in Crypto Currency (CC) directly requires the use of new tools and the adoption of new concepts. So if you decide to dive into this market, you have a very good idea of ​​what to do and what to expect.

CC buying and selling requires you to choose an Exchange that deals with the products you want to buy and sell, be it Bitcoin, Litecoin or more than the other 1300 tokens in the game. In previous editions we have briefly described the products and services available in some exchanges to give you an idea of ​​the different offerings. There are so many types it’s hard to say. Find things that are important to you, such as:

– Deposit policies, methods and costs of each method

– Withdrawal policies and costs

– What fiat currency they use to make deposits and withdrawals

– The products they sell, such as cryptocurrencies, gold, silver, etc.

– Operating costs

– Where is this Exchange? (USA / UK / South Korea / Japan …)

Get ready for an accurate and lengthy Exchange setup procedure, as Exchange generally wants to know a lot about you. It’s like setting up a new bank account, because the Exchanges are stockbrokers, and they want to make sure you’re confident in what you say and a reliable person to deal with. “Confidence” seems to be gaining over time, as exchanges typically only accept small amounts of investment to begin with.

Your Exchange will store your CCs for you. Many offer “cold storage,” which means that your coins are kept “offline” until you indicate that you want to do something with them. There is news that the Exchange has been hacked and a lot of coins have been stolen. Remember that your coins are in an Exchange bank account, but remember that your coins are digital only and all blockchain transactions are non-refundable. Unlike your banks, these exchanges do not have deposit insurance, so keep in mind that hackers are always there trying to get and steal your Crypto Coins. Exchanges generally offer password-protected accounts, and many offer two-factor authorization schemes – something that should be taken seriously to protect your account from hackers.

Considering that Hacker likes to capture Exchanges and your account, we always recommend using a digital wallet for your coins. It’s fairly easy to move coins between your Exchange account and your wallet. Make sure you choose a wallet that handles all the coins you want to buy and sell. Your wallet is also a device that you use to “spend” your money with merchants that accept CC for payment. The two types of wallets are “hot” and “cold”. Hot wallets are easy to use, but they reveal your coins on the Internet, but only on your computer, not on the Exchange server. Cold wallets use offline storage media, such as specialized hardware memory sticks and simple paper printing. Using a cold wallet makes transactions difficult, but they are the safest.

Your wallet has a “private” key that allows you to start all the transactions you want to start. You also have a “shared” key shared on the web so that all users can identify your account when they participate in a transaction with you. When hackers get your private key, they can take your coins to wherever they want, and it’s irreversible.

Despite all the challenges and wild volatility, we are confident that the underlying blockchain technology is a game changer that will reverse the way transactions are conducted in the future.

As the world’s number one crypto currency market, Bitcoin has made some serious headlines and ups and downs in the last 6 months. Almost everyone has heard of them, and almost everyone has an opinion. Some may not understand the idea that a currency of any value can be created out of nowhere, and others love that something without government control can be traded as a valuable entity.

Where are you sitting “Should I buy Bitcoin?” the barrier probably boils down to the question: Can I make money with Bitcoin?

Can You Make Money With Bitcoin?

In the last 6 months, the price has gone from $ 20 a coin in February to $ 260 a coin in April, down from $ 60 in March to $ 130 in May. The price is now set at around $ 100 for a Bitcoin, but then what happens is anyone can guess.

The future of Bitcoin is ultimately based on two main variables: the adoption by the general public as a currency and the non-prohibition of government intervention.

The Bitcoin community is growing rapidly, interest in crypto currency has spread tremendously online, and new services are increasingly supporting Bitcoin payments. The blogging giant, WordPress, supports Bitcoin payments, and African mobile app provider Kipochik has developed a Bitcoin wallet that will allow Bitcoin payments in developing countries.

We have already seen people make millions with money. We are seeing more and more people who are experiencing living alone in Bitcoin for months on end, while recording the experience of watching documentaries.

You can also buy food in Boston, coffee in London and some cars on Craigslist using Bitcoin. Bitcoin search has risen in 2013 with a rise in April and then a drop in the price of Bitcoin. Last week, SatoshiDice made the first major purchase of a Bitcoin company for an online gaming site for 126,315 BTC (about $ 11.47 million) by an unknown buyer.

This rapid growth in awareness and exploitation seems likely to continue if it remains strong in confidence in the currency. This leads to a second addiction. Government regulations.

Although it is specifically designed to work independently of government control, Bitcoin will inevitably be affected by governments in some way. That must be the case for two reasons.

First, to achieve high levels of adoption, Bitcoin needs to be accessible to a wide range of people, which means expanding beyond the realm of hidden transactions to ordinary day-to-day transactions for individuals and businesses alike. Second, these Bitcoin transactions could become a trivial part of people’s tax wealth so that they can be declared and regulated along with any other type of wealth.

The European Union has already stated that Bitcoin is not classified as a Fiat currency or currency, and therefore will not be regulated by itself. In the US, 50 state systems and the number of bureaucratic bodies involved have inevitably hampered decisions without reaching a consensus so far. Bitcoin is not considered money, but it is considered to be money.

A thriving U.S. Bitcoin market has a more secure future for now, and any crucial U.S. legislation could have a very positive or very negative impact on the future of Bitcoin.

So Should You Buy Bitcoin?

The answer largely depends on your anti-risk attitude. Bitcoin will certainly not be a smooth investment, but the potential of this currency is great.

In the world of networking, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses are so important that they cannot be connected to a network. It is also important to understand that the way a network administrator configures its host dynamic control protocol (DHCP) server has a significant impact on network performance. While some focus too much on network cable design, it is important to note that the infrastructure must work with the DHCP server to achieve optimal network connectivity results.

What are some important aspects to consider when managing DHCP servers?

The DHCP server is responsible for renting addresses to all devices that connect to the network. As a result, anything that is wrong with this server’s configuration may make it difficult for the entire network to malfunction. Here are some key points to consider:

1. The set of IP addresses that start and end the DHCP server
2. Manage IP address bookings
3. Keep your static IP addresses under control

Determining the primary address that your server can rent is important because it will allow you to determine the number of devices that can be accessed at any time in your network segment. Depending on the number of devices, you can consciously determine your subnet mask.

Devices that take shared resources must always have static IP addresses. This is important because it gives the network administrator an easy time to connect with other users. If you have a shared resource that continues to change your address, your network or system administrator may find it difficult to reconnect users each time the DHCP server rents new addresses.

Tips for managing static IP addresses

The first thing a system administrator should do is ensure that static IP addresses are not transferred to other devices on the network in addition to the selected device. This means that your network administrator must ensure that you reserve these addresses, in addition to ensuring that they are above or below the DHCP server lease range.

Depending on the type of router or DHCP server you are using, you can also associate certain addresses with your device’s media access control (MAC) identity. This way, you can be sure that no other device can take that address, because MAC identities are never shared between devices.

As an administrator, you may also need to perform regular network scans to determine which devices are connected to your system. This practice helps you remove devices that may have incorrect addresses that could cause conflicts and reduce the performance of your network. Incorrect addresses are often attributed to portable machines that connect to different networks when owners move from one office to another. Whenever you scan your network and detect misconfigured devices, you should take action to correct them and also advise their owners or users that their devices are properly configured for better connectivity.

Of the seven layers in the OSI reference model, layer 3 corresponds to the network layer. There are some important network layer protocols that you need to know. The protocol is just a set of rules that determine how messages are exchanged between different computers.

Let us now briefly examine five important protocols related to the transfer of network layered messages. These are IPv4, IPv6, CLNP, IPSec and ICMP.

IPv4: IP stands for Internet Protocol, and v4 means version 4. Here, version 4 refers to the fourth revision of the later Internet Protocol. There is an IPv4 header structure that is the basis for the transfer of packets of network layers. This is one of the most important network layer protocols.

IPv6: It is also an Internet protocol with version 6. Although IPv4 is widely used today, it is expected that this IPv6 will gain the attention of others. This is why it is called the next generation protocol. There are some basic differences between the two protocols. IPv6 address space is larger than IPv4 address space.

CLNP: CLNP stands for Connectionless Network Protocol. The service provided by this protocol is called CLNS. This leads the messages to their destination independently.

IPSec: Internet Protocol Security is one of those protocols that enables the encryption and authentication of all IP packets that move in a data stream. Encryption and authentication are two techniques to ensure the secure transfer of messages from source to destination.

ICMP: ICMP is the Internet Control Message Protocol. This particular protocol is very important among all network layer protocols. This is used by network operating systems to send error messages indicating that a particular service was unavailable or that a connection to a router failed, and so on.

While health care providers and healthcare providers cannot ignore HIPAA, a new threat has arisen and will be much greater: ransomware attacks on hospitals and healthcare providers that do not want to violate patient information, but instead become inaccessible. until they are paid by the organization. great rescue.

In recent weeks, the following major ransomware attacks have occurred in healthcare facilities:

• In February 2016, hackers used a piece of ransomware called Locky to attack the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles, and the organization’s computers became impossible. One week later, the hospital gave in to the hacker’s demands and paid a $ 17,000.00 Bitcoin ransom for the key to unlocking the computer.
• In early March 2016, Methodist Hospital in Henderson, Kentucky was also attacked using the Locky ransomware. Instead of paying the ransom, the organization recovered data from backups. However, the hospital was forced to declare a “state of emergency” that lasted about three days.
• In late March, MedStar Health, which has more than 10 hospitals and more than 250 outpatient clinics in the Maryland / DC area, was the victim of a ransomware attack. The organization immediately shut down its network to prevent the attack from spreading and gradually began restoring backup data. Although MedStar’s hospitals and clinics were open, staff were unable to access email or electronic health records, and patients were unable to make an appointment online; everything had to be put back on paper.

Probably a factor as to why they’re doing so poorly. A recent study by the Health Information Trust Alliance found that 52% of U.S. hospital systems were infected with malicious software.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a piece of malware that renders a system inoperable (basically being hijacked) until a hacker is paid a ransom fee (usually requested in Bitcoin), which gives him the key to unlocking the system. Compared to many other cyber attacks, which typically seek access to data from a system (such as credit card information and Social Security numbers), ransomware blocks data.

Hackers typically use social engineering techniques, such as phishing emails and free software downloads, to access a ransomware system. In order for ransomware to work, only one workstation must be infected; After the ransomware infects a single workstation, it traverses the target organization’s network, encrypting files on both mapped and unmapped mapped network drives. With enough time, it can also access an organization’s backup files; it is impossible to recover the system using backups, as Methodist Hospital and MedStar did.

Once the files are encrypted, the ransomware displays a pop-up or webpage explaining that the files have been locked and giving instructions for paying to unlock them (some MedStar staff reported seeing such a pop-up before shutting down the system. Down). Rescue is almost always required in the form of Bitcoin (abbreviated as BTC), an unrecognizable “cryptocurrency”. After paying the ransom, the hacker promises to provide a decryption key to unlock the files.

Unfortunately, paying the ransom because the perpetrators of the ransomware are criminals – and therefore unreliable to begin with – is not guaranteed to work. An organization can pay hundreds, thousands of dollars and receive no response, or a key that doesn’t work or doesn’t work at all. For these reasons, as well as to prevent future attacks, the FBI recommends not paying ransomware victims. However, some organizations may be terrified and will not be able to use this restriction.

Therefore, ransomware attacks can be much more profitable for hackers than stealing data. After stealing a set of data, the hacker must acquire a buyer and negotiate the price, but in a ransomware attack, the hacker already has a “buyer”: the owner of the information, who is not in a position to negotiate the price. .

Why is the healthcare industry targeting ransomware attacks?

There are several reasons why the healthcare industry has become the main target of ransomware attacks. First and foremost is the sensitivity and importance of health data. Suppose a company that sells candy or pets gets a financial blow if it can’t access its customer data in a day or a week; orders may be unfulfilled or delivered late. However, no customer will be harmed or killed if a box of chocolates or a dog bed is not delivered on time. The same cannot be said of health; physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals need immediate and ongoing access to patient data to prevent injury, including death.

The US News & World Report points to another culprit: health care, unlike many other industries, was digitized almost overnight and gradually over time. In addition, many healthcare organizations see their IT department as a cost-cutting expense, and therefore do not allocate enough money or human resources to this function:

According to statistics from the Office for the Coordination of National Health Information Technologies, 9.4% of hospitals in 2008 used a basic electronic registration system, 96.9% of which used certified electronic registration systems in 2014.

This explosive growth rate is worrying and indicates that health care organizations cannot have the organizational readiness to adopt information technology in the short term. Many small and medium-sized health care organizations do not see IT as a component of medical care, but rather take it as a mandatory order from large hospitals or the federal government. This is why healthcare organizations do not prioritize IT and security technologies in their investments and therefore do not allocate the necessary resources to ensure the security of their computer systems, which makes them particularly vulnerable to privacy breaches.

What can the healthcare industry do about ransomware?

First, the healthcare industry needs a major overhaul: providers need to let information systems and information security be seen as a general cost to reduce IT XXI. it must be realized that it is a critical part of the health care of the 21st century and that adequate financial and human resources must be allocated for its implementation. and securing their information systems.

The good news is that ransomware is almost always included in a system with simple social engineering techniques, such as phishing emails, making it completely possible to prevent ransomware attacks by taking the following measures, among others:

• Implement a comprehensive organizational cybersecurity policy
• Establish ongoing staff training on safety awareness
• Regular entrance tests to identify vulnerabilities