The United States has convened some 30 countries — with the notable exception of Russia — to boost cooperation in fighting the costly and disruptive attacks that have boomed around the world. As if on cue, Yigal Unna, director of Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, broke news of the latest incident. “I can disclose now that…

Cyber extortionists’ ransom demands have surged in recent years, as ransomware cotinues to cripple the operations of manufacturers, hospitals, and — most recently — local governments. Yet those demands may have hit an upper limit. On September 4, Mayor Jon Mitchell of New Bedford, Mass., announced that the town refused to pay a $5.3 million…