Columbus judge sues researcher for disclosing true impact of ransomware attack [Video]

A hot potato: Security researchers play a vital role in protecting the internet from cyber threats. They locate and disclose vulnerabilities in critical systems to protect users and state institutions. So, it’s no small affair when a government entity takes legal action against these watchdogs.

In a strange turn of events following a significant ransomware attack on the city of Columbus, Ohio, a judge has issued a temporary restraining order against cybersecurity researcher David Leroy Ross. The Dispatch notes that Ross allegedly published information regarding a security breach last month that he felt officials were trying to sweep under the rug.

The July 18 attack was attributed to the ransomware group Rhysida. It resulted in the theft of 6.5 terabytes of sensitive data hosted on Columbus city servers. Rhysida attempted to auction the information for $1.7 million in Bitcoin. However, …