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TIL that the first ransomware was the 1989 AIDS Trojan horse, developed by biologist Dr. Joseph Popp. He gave his patients infected floppy disks entitled “AIDS Information - Introductory Diskettes”. After remaining dormant for about 90 reboots, the Trojan would encrypt the PC until payment was made.

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b6Ox4 TIL in 2009, Benjamin Moody cracked the signing key to a TI-83+ calculator in 73 days on a 1.9 GHz dual-core processor, allowing users to flash their own OS. In 1999 same algorithm required a Cray supercomputer and 8000 MIPS-years of computing time to factorize a similar 512-bit key.
Xy8R TIL that NYC is an ideal habitat for Peregrine falcons. With abundant food year round, the city boasts the highest concentration of the birds on the planet.
K9Z6 TIL Bullwinkle encouraged children to pull the tuner knob off their TV set. “In that way,” explained Bullwinkle, “we’ll be sure to be with you next week!”. An estimated 20k did, much to their parents’ chagrin.
W7y9Y TIL The Parthenon in Athens was largely intact for over 2000 years. The heavily damaged ruins we see today are not due to natural forces or the passage of time but rather a massive explosion in 1687.
NXrX8 TIL that László József Bíró was a Hungarian inventor who patented the most commercially successful ballpoint pen also invented the automatic gearbox. He also at some point in his life, worked as a hypnotist, insurance salesman, book publisher and he also sold oil.