Is infecting more than 300,000 computers around the world with a ransomware virus a good way to make a fortune? It sure doesn’t look like it.
The WannaCry cyberattack that’s making headlines this week has squeezed around $80,000 from its victims so far, barely enough to put down a deposit on an apartment in cheaper parts of London. But it’s seized the attention of powerful governments around the globe.
What’s more, the hackers’ decision to use the digital currency bitcoin to collect the ransom money is likely to make it tough for them to withdraw their ill-gotten gains without being caught.
The malware instructed victims to pay $300 in bitcoin in order to regain control of the data it had seized, threatening to increase the sum demanded every three days.
Following the money
At first glance, using bitcoin to gather the money could make sense: cybercriminals can set up accounts in the virtual currency anonymously. But anyone can see the accounts online and also view a record of transactions.
stock market tips: Rennova Health, Inc.(RNVA)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Ashley Moore]
Here is a list of the top 10 best small-cap stocks based on price gains per share so far in 2017:
Company (Ticker)Price per Share% Change AquaBounty Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: AQB)$14.338,646.99%Rennova Health Inc. (Nasdaq: RNVA)$3.133,333.73%China Gengsheng Minerals Inc. (OTCMKTS: CHGS)$0.021,718.18%Sunshine Heart Inc. (Nasdaq: SSH)$3.851,071.43%CTI BioPharma Corp. (Nasdaq: CTIC)$4.30991.76%Catalyst Biosciences Inc. (Nasdaq: CBIO)$6.22853.85%TearLab Corp. (Nasdaq: TEAR)$4.20707.85%Pulmatrix Inc. (Nasdaq: PULM)$3.86566.10%Real Goods Solar Inc. (Nasdaq: RGSE)$1.43498.75%Calithera Biosciences Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA)$11.70281.54%
stock market tips: MKS Instruments, Inc.(MKSI)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Monica Gerson]
MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI) is estimated to post its quarterly earnings at $0.33 per share on revenue of $177.19 million.
Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE: PXD) is projected to post a quarterly loss at $0.75 per share on revenue of $711.66 million.
stock market tips: Safe Bulkers Inc(SB)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Elizabeth Balboa]
Meanwhile, Safe Bulkers, Inc. (NYSE: SB) rose $0.73 throughout the 2016, Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHIP) fell $1.69 and Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (NYSE: NMM) dropped $0.93.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
StarBulk Carriers (SBLK) and Safe Bulkers (SB) have more than tripled during the past 12 months, while Golden Ocean Group (GOGL) has more than doubled. So it must be time for an upgrade right?
stock market tips: Richmont Mines, Inc.(RIC)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Sally Jones]
Richmont Mines Inc. (RIC)
Down 70% over 12 months, Richmont Mines Inc. has a market cap of $56.23 billion, and trades with a P/B of 0.60.
