cybercrime

NEW YORK (AP) -- It's a chilling moment: A message appears on a computer screen, saying the files are encrypted and the only way to access them is by paying a ransom.

Ransomware is a growing threat to computer users, who can suddenly find they're unable to open or use their files when their machines are infected. The malicious software can attack any user - an individual, small business, Fortune 500 company or a government agency.

The hackers are winning, according to a survey of 500 executives of U.S. businesses, law enforcement services and government agencies released Wednesday.

It was an unlucky St. Patrick's Day for three alleged members of an international cybercrime, money laundering and identity theft conspiracy.

If you've never heard of the term 'sextortion,' consider yourself and your family lucky.

U.S. prosecutors in New Jersey have announced charges against eight alleged members of an international cybercrime ring they say hacked into the computers of more than a dozen leading financial institutions and the U.S. military's payroll service.

Eight alleged members of an international cybercrime, money laundering and identity theft conspiracy are federally charged in New Jersey with a scheme to use information hacked from customer accounts held at more than a dozen banks, brokerage firms, payroll processing companies and government agencies in an attempt to steal at least $15 million from U.S. customers. The announcement comes today fro