Kaspersky

A recent Kaspersky report shows that ignorance is slowing down Bitcoin, cryptocurrency and blockchain technology adoption in Italy. Around 84% of the Italian people have never bought or used cryptocurrency. The citizens fear that cryptocurrencies have no strong security, considering the losses users and exchanges have made since the Bitcoin inception.

The first quarter (Q1) of 2019 registered a high average Bitcoin (BTC) payout for ransomware attacks, according to statistics published by security researchers at Kaspersky Lab, and Coveware, a firm which helps victims payout. The number of users (victims) that met cryptocurrency ransomware in 2018 and Q1 of 2019 soared by over 500% and 90% respectively.

Kaspersky Labs presented new service packages to help blockchain companies reinforce cybersecurity and spot fraudsters and attacks. As Italy faces some problems with cybersecurity, the country's community might benefit from these new solutions.

The North Korean hacker group Lazarus have continued to carry out several attacks on crypto businesses and financial technology (fintech) firms, using modern hacking techniques, according to Kaspersky Lab.

Kaspersky Labs has recently conducted research proving that Ethereum is the most frequent digital currency used for fraudulent activity. Being the most well-known cryptocurrency after Bitcoin, Ethereum seems to be the perfect option for scammers to perform illicit business and remain anonymous.

Last months the ransomware software Wanna Cry attacked 200,000 victims in at least 150 countries worldwide and a huge fuss was made of the capability of hackers to use Bitcoin in illegal actions. Now, a new ransomware comes on stage.

Kaspersky Lab, an internationally recognized computer protection firm, in partnership with The Economist have recently held a challenge inviting teams from universities around the world to design a system for digital voting that addressed such issues as ensuring privacy and validating contested results.