Ransomware, Lies, and Legal Threats: The City of Columbus vs. a Security Researcher

The Daily Decrypt

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Video Episode: https://youtu.be/oMptm-Oi1R4

In today’s episode of The Daily Decrypt, we tackle a high-profile case involving the City of Columbus and security researcher David Leroy Ross. Ross is facing a lawsuit and restraining order after revealing the true extent of a ransomware attack that the city had downplayed. Despite claims by Mayor Andrew Ginther that the stolen 6.5 terabytes of sensitive data were unusable due to encryption, Ross proved otherwise—highlighting that personal information like Social Security numbers and details from domestic violence cases were fully intact and accessible on the dark web.

00:00 – Intro

00:37 – Updates from The Daily Decrypt

01:45 – Columbus, OH vs Security Researcher

09:23 – More News

We dive into the legal and ethical complexities that arise when a researcher discloses illegally obtained data in the name of public interest. What happens when the desire to protect people’s privacy clashes with responsible disclosure protocols? Ross bypassed these procedures, opting instead to expose the city’s misinformation by going directly to the media, leading to legal consequences that reflect a challenging gray area for security researchers.

In the second half, we discuss how Columbus’s reaction—suing the very person who pointed out the severity of their data breach—sends a chilling message to those working in cybersecurity. Are they discouraging future researchers from revealing vulnerabilities, even when it’s for the public good?

We also explore:

How Columbus mishandled the attack.
The city’s controversial decision to sue Ross.
The broader implications for security researchers who choose to challenge powerful organizations.

Stick around for our lightning round of cybersecurity headlines, including a busted one-time password fraud service in the UK, a former engineer’s attempt to extort Bitcoin, and new vulnerabilities in Microsoft’s macOS applications.

Links to the articles discussed:

Thanks to Jered Jones for providing the music for this episode. https://www.jeredjones.com/

Logo Design by https://www.zackgraber.com/

vulnerabilities, Microsoft, Cisco Talos, macOS, Bitcoin, extortion, insider, Missouri, OTP Agency, interception, passcodes, scammers, ransomware, Columbus, dark web, restraining order

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