Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware in which hackers access files and encrypt them, demanding payment to restore access. Coverage includes ransomware attacks on cities, states, schools and public utilities, as well as legislative efforts to curb the threat and set policy on how to respond.
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A ransomware attack in January in New Britain, Conn., and an attempted “interruption” in Meriden in February highlight the ongoing cybersecurity threat to municipalities and others. -
The city currently cannot process some online credit card payments, because of a cyber attack on one of its payment gateway providers. Officials are working to stand up a secure alternative solution.
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While overall ransomware attack numbers remained steady, higher education institutions drove a sharp rise in exposed records, fueled in part by third-party software vulnerabilities.
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Athens School District will pay hackers $50,000 in cryptocurrency after district servers and data were encrypted. The cyberattack delayed the start of the school year by at least another week.
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Chilton County officials say they don’t yet know what information was compromised in the ransomware attack two weeks ago, but around 70 computers were targeted in the cyberincident.
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As colleges and universities strive to protect their campuses from COVID-19, they must also pay attention to cyberattacks that target sensitive data, a cybersecurity expert warns.
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Hackers claim they stole data from the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office and are threatening to publish it online if their demands are not met. Attacks of this kind are trending across the country.
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While COVID-19 has made continuity of public services more critical than ever, it has also made them more vulnerable. A few guidelines can help organizations prepare for and prevent ransomware incidents.
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Officials are increasing the cybersecurity stance of the borough after it fell victim to a ransomware attack in April. Protections include an additional layer of security with an onsite backup of its computers.
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An Oregon city has paid out a ransom to hackers who took its computers hostage recently, becoming the latest in a recent string of communities to get caught in an apparent upsurge in cyberattacks.
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The city was forced to take its network offline as a means of containing the malware attack after it was discovered Thursday morning. Officials say the incident is being investigated by state and federal authorities.
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The ransomware attack against Rio Arriba County was first discovered earlier this week. The incident encrypted network servers, electronic files, and databases. The extent of damage is under investigation.
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The Bernards Township, N.J., computer system was breached by a ransomware attack that was discovered Monday night that caused the township’s website to go offline, the mayor and administrator said.
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System administrators discovered Friday that hackers had taken over a portion of the statewide court network and were demanding ransom before control of the system was restored. This is not the first such attack.
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The widespread cyberattack came at the end of last week, plunging the state into response and recovery mode. At least 23 cities and towns are working with state and federal authorities to mitigate the damage.
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