Ransomware

At an event held by the Institute for Security and Technology, experts discussed why simply arresting ransomware developers isn’t enough to effectively combat this cybersecurity problem.

A public university in Las Vegas canceled classes this week after a ransomware attack targeted its student and staff portal for online classes, course materials, campus email, payroll and other systems.

The county is preparing for a soft launch of reopening the assessment, collection and recorder of deeds offices to the public on April 16, according to a new press release from officials.

The Missouri county’s assessment, collections and recorder of deeds offices were closed Monday as officials worked to restore computer systems impacted in last week’s attack. Other systems and taxpayer data were not compromised.

The new ransomware attack threatened the university's cybersecurity defenses last week, resulting in canceled classes and disruptions in employee payroll systems.

The March 21 attack impacts information from about 300 people, the Tarrant Appraisal District said. The district’s legal council has said hackers have asked for $700,000. Portions of the district website remain offline; it has not paid the ransom.

Some city sources have attributed a cyber incident in early March to ransomware, although the municipality has only called it a “network disruption.” Birmingham is using paper-based processes to pay staff, but public effects may be more minor.

Some property-related offices in Jackson County, Mo., were closed Tuesday due to computer malfunctions. A ransomware attack, the county said in a statement, is “a potential cause,” but no data currently appears to have been compromised.

Attackers are seeking $700,000 from the Tarrant Appraisal District, following an incident last week that took its new website offline. It’s unclear whether sensitive information has been compromised, a cybersecurity attorney said.

A ransomware attack discovered in early February locked public defenders across the state out of their computers and files. The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender has acknowledged personal data may have been stolen.

While new artificial intelligence technologies could be used for nefarious purposes such as creating more convincing phishing attacks, experts say the technology might also automate and strengthen IT security protocols.

The New Mexico Administrative Office of the District Attorneys was still trying to get its main computer servers working Thursday after ransomware locked prosecutors across the state out of files.

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The Nevada Gaming Control Board worked with the Nevada Office of the Chief Information Officer to move its website to a new platform, after a cyber incident in late January. An investigation found no personal information was accessed.

Experts have long debated a nationwide ban on paying cyber extortionists. But any ban must be paired with measures to help targets improve defenses, cybersecurity experts say.

Most public defenders have regained computer access after an attack on the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender discovered Feb. 9, but the number of rescheduled hearings statewide has risen.

The plan to upgrade Fulton County, Ga.’s internal software system is being sped up following a recent ransomware attack. Commissioners have approved a $10.2 million overhaul of the county’s internal software system.

2023 saw more cloud-based intrusions and data breach-based extortion. Cyber extortion and ransomware, plus election-related disinformation, are likely to be key concerns in 2024, too.