Pandemic opening up opportunities for hackers

As technology evolves, the issue of hacking is not going away.

The pandemic is actually opening up options for hackers.

In small doses, sodium hydroxide helps keep drinking water clean. But in large doses, it’s lethal.

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That’s the very chemical that hackers tried to pump into the Oldsmar water system by entering the computer system and changing a setting from 100 parts per million to 11,100 parts per million, enough to sicken people had the water reached their homes.

The attack in Pinellas County is just the latest reminder that Florida cities, big and small, remain exposed.

Remzi Seker is a cybersecurity expert at embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

He notes the pandemic has accelerated remote access to systems, opening up even more opportunities for hackers while prevention continues to lag.

In his proposed budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis has called for spending more than $85 million to address cyber security.

Cox Media Group