Bitcoin got caught in another media storm this week, though only in a supporting role this time around. The ongoing ransomware attack by the name of “WannaCry,” sometimes also referred to as “WannaCrypt0r,” “Wcry,” “WanaCry,” “WannaCrypt” or “Wana Decrypt0r,” infected over 230,000 computers in over 150 countries over the past couple of days, and demands that victims pay a ransom in the cryptocurrency.
Read more here: https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/four-quick-questions-and-answers-about-ransomware-and-bitcoin/
what I don't get is why don't they request money in a more private coin?
also check this article from NPR http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2017/05/16/528570788/from-kill-switch-to-bitcoin-wannacry-showing-signs-of-amateur-flaws
Bitcoin's about as private as it gets. As Hotair reported this morning. Thanks to Bitcoin, extortionists & kidnappers can collect their loot with little fear of getting caught.
I made sure my brother updated his Windows machine because of this. Good thing I use Linux.