Tag Archives: profitable

Ransomware group issues warning that UK state is not profitable target | Cybercrime

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Ransomware gangs have targeted the UK state after reports emerged that the British Library successfully withstood a damaging cyberattack without succumbing to the demands of the hackers responsible for the ransomware. The library has made it clear that they did not pay any ransom to the attackers or engage with them in any way.

In a statement released as part of their review of the incident, the library emphasized, “The library has not made any payments to the criminals who carried out the attack nor is it associated with them in any way. Ransomware gangs looking to target publicly funded institutions in the future need to be aware of the UK’s national policy as outlined by the NCSC [National Cyber Security Centre], which clearly prohibits such payments.”

Public institutions around the world, including governments, hospitals, schools, and universities, are frequent targets of ransomware attacks. These attacks often involve encrypting or stealing sensitive data and demanding a ransom for its release or to restore access. Prompt ransom payments have been a common response due to insecure cybersecurity practices and the urgent need to restore operations.

The incident report from the British Library highlights that the National Cyber Security Centre is escalating efforts to combat ransomware threats despite previous government discouragement of ransom payments. The aftermath of the attack has left the library operating below capacity, with research services still incomplete months later.

While the library maintains secure copies of its digital collections, the lack of viable infrastructure for restoration has hindered the recovery process. Efforts to combat ransomware have faced challenges with Russia’s withdrawal from international cybercrime cooperation following its invasion of Ukraine.

Recent crackdowns on ransomware gangs by international law enforcement agencies have shown some success, including the seizure of equipment belonging to the Rockbit gang. However, concerns have been raised by the government’s handling of the ransomware threat, with calls for increased attention and resources to address the growing cyber-attack landscape.

Source: www.theguardian.com

May Mobility’s autonomous microtransit may be more profitable than robotaxis

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Self-driving car company May Mobility has partnered with transportation technology company Via to launch the first self-driving on-demand microtransit service on public roads in Sun City, Arizona. This milestone is in line with May Mobility’s goal to begin passenger-only operations by 2023. It also suggests that a gradual approach to commercializing autonomous driving could work well for startups.

Sun City is a planned community for “active retired adults.” Launching an unmanned microtransit service in this environment isn’t as flashy as putting robotaxis on the streets of San Francisco or autonomous transportation at Phoenix’s airport. However, thanks to this, the company expanded smoothly and avoided getting into trouble.

May’s strategy of partnering with cities to integrate autonomous microtransit services into existing public transportation also laid the groundwork for more challenging deployments in the future. Carlos Cruz Casas, chief innovation officer for the Miami-Dade County Department of Public Works, told TechCrunch that May Mobility, also in partnership with Via, will launch an on-demand shuttle service in Miami. Neither May Mobility nor Via responded to TechCrunch for confirmation.

Rival Cruise Corp. launched an unmanned robotaxi fleet in Miami before towing its entire fleet after a pedestrian was hit and dragged by one of its General Motors-backed vehicles in October. Remember, we started testing in just one day. Cruise subsequently had its license to operate in California suspended and last week laid off 900 employees and several executives.

By keeping its head down and deploying small, May has so far been able to expand without major disruption. The company operates shuttles to designated stops on campus and along fixed routes in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Arlington, Texas. Most recently, May partnered with Via to launch an on-demand service in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A Grand Rapids customer can summon his one of May’s Toyota Sienna Autono-MaaS AVs from within a designated geofenced area.

Steve Miller, a risk management consultant specializing in self-driving cars at the U.S. Insurance Bureau, told TechCrunch that more controlled, low-speed shuttles and on-demand services like those offered by May and competitor Veep are on the horizon. He said he expected that. Beep operates self-driving shuttles to provide transportation for residents of the Lake Nona community in Florida and public transportation in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. Beep also provides transportation for guests at Disney’s Celebration Resort and Wilderness Lodge Resort.

“What we’re seeing as we’re talking about commercial deployment is that the industry is really focused on trucking and shuttle transportation, like Veep and May Mobility-type shuttles.” said Miller, noting that the development of Level 2 advanced driver assistance software for OEMs is important. It’s also trending in AV startups. “And the reason these two are in the lead is because they both have the advantage of being in a defined operational domain. They’re in a controlled environment. That’s what makes robotaxis difficult. The problem is that there are many edge cases that cannot be modeled at this time.”

Meanwhile, May said the company’s multi-policy decision-making system is well-equipped to deal with edge cases. According to the company, the system “runs real-time onboard simulations to analyze thousands of possible scenarios every second and select and execute the safest scenario.”

Miller also said that today’s funding environment encourages companies to focus on sustainability around their core business rather than achieving moonshot goals. In November, May raised $105 million, bringing its total funding up to $300 million.

“With so many cities and municipalities in the U.S. and so many transportation subsidies, we’re going to see more shuttle-type operations,” Miller said. “So I think we’re going to see interest from cities, airports, transportation hubs. There’s a lot of opportunity to connect to mass transit, and I think that’s pretty lucrative.”

Suncity unmanned operation begins

May Mobility’s first passenger-only service in Sun City will request a “select group of initial passengers” to be picked up or dropped off in one of the company’s Autono-MaaS minivans from various stops, according to the company. It is said to give an opportunity.

The free service will initially operate on public roads from 4pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday. A company spokesperson said expansion was imminent but depended on May’s careful and thoughtful approach to safety, passenger feedback and community trust.

Passengers can book on-demand rides through May Mobility’s app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Residents interested in becoming early riders can apply online.

Source: techcrunch.com