Botnets and malware target with pleasure connected cameras, especially in the last few months. They use them to steal private data to companies and citizens and to block access to the internet for entire countries. Now networked security cameras fell prey to a more dangerous attack.
A new malware targeted the D.C. security system CCTVs, exactly a week before Donal Trump inauguration as the 45th President of the USA. According to a Washington Post article, a ransomware infected 70% of the DVR system, getting them unreliable and out of service for four, paralyzing public surveillance network.
The security system, operated by the District’s Metropolitan Police Department, started malfunctioning from January, 12th when police noticed they cannot access to four DVR streaming. The threat didn’t expand to the entire network, even if the potential danger was very high: this malware could have infected the whole system.
Police Department didn’t pay any ransom, and the system got back online just in time for the inauguration, avoiding further security risks.