Is it legal to pay a cyber ransom in NZ? The surprising answer
14 May, 2021 08:15 PM
4 minutes to read Today s hackers often want money to give you back your files (after they ve stolen them or encrypted them in a ransomware attack) or to cease a DDoS attack (a distributed denial-of-service attack where an army of bots try to connect to your site at once, rendering it inaccessible to regular punters).
And their efforts are only escalating, because governments enable ransomware extortionists in three ways: failing to regulate cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, giving hackers an easy, anonymous method of being paid; authorities underfunded and uncoordinated efforts to catch offenders (we compare particularly poorly against Australia, as detailed within this feature); and maintaining the legality of paying up.
Cold-case mystery: The murder of Kiwi Paula Brown on girls night out - we miss her so much
14 May, 2021 05:00 PM
7 minutes to read
Paul Brown disappeared from the Sydney s bustling Oxford Street on May 4, 1996, after becoming separated from her friends. Her body was found 8 days later. Photo / Chadwick McCartney
Paul Brown disappeared from the Sydney s bustling Oxford Street on May 4, 1996, after becoming separated from her friends. Her body was found 8 days later. Photo / Chadwick McCartney
By: Fleur Guthrie
On the back of Norma Brown s bedroom door hangs a beautiful maroon velvet jacket, adorned with diamanté buttons. As she tenderly gathers it in her hands and strokes the fabric, the retired widow can t believe it s been 25 years this month since her beloved daughter Paula last wore it, while on a girls night out in Sydney, Australia.
Walk Of Wonders back for a second year
12 May, 2021 11:18 PM
2 minutes to read
More than 12,000 people are expected to attend the week-long, multi-sensory light show at Black Barn vineyards in Havelock North. Photo / NZME
More than 12,000 people are expected to attend the week-long, multi-sensory light show at Black Barn vineyards in Havelock North. Photo / NZME
Hawkes Bay Today
Walk of Wonders is back for a second year and helping spread light in more ways than one.
This year s festival will help raise funds for Hawke s Bay s mental health charities.
More than 12,000 people are expected to attend the week-long, multi-sensory light show in the grounds of Havelock North s Black Barn vineyards.
Taupō s Powell brothers unexpected call-up to freeride world champs
12 May, 2021 08:36 PM
5 minutes to read
Lach Powell (right) claimed third in the Freeride Junior World Championships in Verbier, Switzerland recently. Photo / Freeride Junior World Championship
Lach Powell (right) claimed third in the Freeride Junior World Championships in Verbier, Switzerland recently. Photo / Freeride Junior World Championship
Laurilee McMichael is editor of the Taupo & Turangi Weekenderlaurilee.mcmichael@nzme.co.nzTaupoWeekender
From the top of their sport to nursing injuries back home in Taupō - it s been a real ride for Lach and Fynn Powell. The twin brothers, 18, have just returned from Verbier, Switzerland after