Three Iranian citizens charged in U.S. with hacking for profit

Power companies, local governments, and small businesses—even a shelter for victims of domestic violence—are among hundreds of victims hacked by three Iranians, the Justice Department said Wednesday. The case was filed in federal court in New Jersey, where a local government’s system was hacked last year. A Justice Department official told the Associated Press that the individuals are believed to be located in Iran, hacking for personal financial gain. The official said that U.S. charges would make it difficult for them to leave their country.

What’s it like being hacked? The Justice Department said the hackers encrypted and stole data from victims’ computer networks while threatening to release it unless ransom payments were made—and some of their targets did pay. According to a court document, a domestic violence shelter in Pennsylvania paid $13,000 to recover its hacked data.

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