ransom

In the beginning, most computer viruses were simply aimed at causing trouble for users and giving the virus creator bragging rights. But increasingly, these individuals and organizations are writing viruses aimed at making them rich. The most recent example is a virus that threatens to publish your...

I have heard about the kidnapping of dogs. A recent dognapping case ended up with a $10,000 ransom being paid. I have heard about a lobster being held for ransom. That was a case of using the release of an unusually large lobster to solicit donations for a food pantry.But I have never, until now,...

The saga of New York Times reporter David Rohde (right), held captive by Taliban militants for seven months, had a happy ending: Rohde escaped unharmed. But the warm glow of that outcome is now tinged somewhat by the disclosure, reported by New York magazine, that The New York Times Co. offered, in...

Yo ho ho, and a freighter of munitions. Self styled amateur pirates have a strangle hold on the active shipping routes off the shores of Somalia. They are reaping multi-million dollar booty for their exploits. Reports state that Somali pirates are currently holding as many as a dozen ships for...