Category Archives: Computer Fraud

Texas Developer Sentenced to 4 Years for “Kill Switch” Cyberattack on Former Employer

A former Eaton Corp. software developer received a 4-year federal prison sentence for deploying a “kill switch” that locked out thousands of users and caused over $360,000 in damages. Learn what happened and key lessons for businesses to prevent insider threats.

MEMO TO: “The IT Guy” – It is a Crime to Sabotage Your Company’s Network on Your Way Out the Door!

A former First Republic Bank employee [cloud engineer] who sabotaged the company’s computer network after being fired for accessing pornography on a work computer has lost an appeal challenging his conviction and nearly $530,000 in restitution.* * *Brody was indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and ultimately pleaded guilty …

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Texas Attorney General Issues Consumer Alert Warning Texans of Potential Scams Following Nationwide CrowdStrike Outage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 19, 2024www.texasattorneygeneral.govPRESS OFFICE: (512) 463-2050Communications@oag.texas.govAttorney General Ken Paxton Issues Consumer Alert Warning Texans of Potential Scams Following Nationwide CrowdStrike Outage   AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned Texans of potential scams following the widespread CrowdStrike service outage.  Texans should be aware that bad actors can use cybersecurity incidents to take advantage …

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Texas Attorney General Launches Major AI, Data Privacy, and Security Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 4, 2024www.texasattorneygeneral.govPRESS OFFICE: (512) 463-2050Communications@oag.texas.gov Attorney General Ken Paxton Launches Data Privacy and Security Initiative to Protect Texans’ Sensitive Data from Illegal Exploitation by Tech, AI, and Other Companies  AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a major data privacy and security initiative, establishing a team that is focused on aggressive …

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Texas Bar Journal 2023 Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Year in Review

I am happy that I was able to provide the Texas Bar Journal’s 2023: The Year In Review – Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Update which addressed the following issues: how the Texas “hacking laws” and issue of “consent” impact the discovery of evidence of child pornography whether sending a malicious phishing email violates “hacking laws” …

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Neural Privacy is Where It’s At — Brain Scanning Technology is Causing States to Look at Protecting the Privacy of Our Thoughts

UPDATES 2024.03.15 Neuralink is now being used to play chess! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfwzfP8cp3A This morning I read an article about how brain scanning technology is causing Colorado and Minnesota to propose legislation that is aimed at establishing rights and protections for information collected from our thoughts through the neural signals that can be scanned and collected from …

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Shawn Tuma Provided Texas Bar Journal 2022 Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Year in Review Update

Shawn Tuma provided the Texas Bar Journal’s 2022: The Year In Review – Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Update which addressed the following issues: updated Texas cyber event notification requirements for Texas state banks Texas AG enforcement of data protection laws federal and state hacking laws former owner of company accessing company network attorney immunity for …

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Feds Will Not Charge Good Faith Security Research Under the CFAA

On May 19, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice directed prosecutors to not charge security researchers who report cybersecurity vulnerabilities in “good faith” with violations of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). The DOJ’s press release titled Department of Justice Announces New Policy for Charging Cases under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act …

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Increased Ransomware Threat in Wake of Russia Invasion of Ukraine — Shawn Tuma Discusses

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine well underway, cyber warfare and increased ransomware activity are imminent. Shawn Tuma was a guest on KNX News to discuss the implications for Americans from the government level down to the mom and pop businesses. Listen to the interview HERE. A senior FBI official has asked businesses and local …

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Shawn Tuma Provided Texas Bar Journal 2021 Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Year in Review Update

Shawn Tuma provided the Texas Bar Journal’s 2021: The Year In Review – Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Update which addressed the following issues: updated Texas data breach notification requirements federal and state hacking laws whistleblower claims for reporting cybersecurity deficiencies within an organization authority of consent for search warrants and password protected devices Read more …

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