The Pennsylvania Senate has passed legislation to prohibit state and local governments from using taxpayer money to pay ransoms to hackers.Senate Bill 726, sponsored by Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, R‑York, defines ransomware and outlaws the act of possessing, using, developing, selling or threatening to use the technology. It includes penalties ranging from a first-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree felony for violations, depending on the monetary amount exploited.
“We have seen an increase in ransomware attacks in governmental entities at all levels, as well as against critical infrastructure across the United States,” Phillips-Hill said. “We know that these attacks will grow as technology used by criminals becomes more sophisticated.
”This legislation draws a line in the sand to say that taxpayers will not pay the ransom requested by entities seeking to illegally extort cash from hard-working Pennsylvanians.”
SB 726 would require state agencies including the General Assembly, local …
PA Sen bill bans hacker ransoms
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