Ransomware Shuts Down Computers and Landlines
Posted by: Timothy Weaver on 02/07/2017 11:11 AM
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Ransomware has shut down county offices in Licking County, Ohio.
The ransomware came in on a phishing email and has crippled the police force, the county auditor's office and the clerk of courts. The amount of the ransom has not been disclosed, but officials have contacted local and federal law enforcement.
"The rest of this week we'll be in a manual mode," said Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb, speaking to the local paper. He said anyone who needs to do business with county government should physically go to the appropriate office. "And, there's no promise everything will be up and running on Monday morning."
The ransomware has also shut down landlines. It has also affected the Department of Job and Family Services so that those reporting child abuse or neglect must now call the sheriff's office instead of Family Services. Tax and dog licenses can be paid but will not post until the system is back up and running.
"When you're computer dependent, especially government, it makes it difficult to do much,” said County Auditor Mike Smith. “Appraisers are in the field because they can't do anything on the computer. We've let a handful of people go (home early). Their sole function is to do data entry and [they] can't do anything. If this goes on for many days, it's going to be difficult to come up with work."
Moshe Ben-Simon, co-founder and vice president of TrapX Security, stated: “These attacks will not stop. If anything they will increase in frequency. If you pay them there is no guarantee they will release your data. Further, they have every incentive to come back and try to ransom your data again. Government institutions must always pay particular attention to backup and recovery procedures—you are more likely than ever to require implementation of these processes given the current hostile cyber-environment.”
Source: Info Security
The ransomware came in on a phishing email and has crippled the police force, the county auditor's office and the clerk of courts. The amount of the ransom has not been disclosed, but officials have contacted local and federal law enforcement."The rest of this week we'll be in a manual mode," said Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb, speaking to the local paper. He said anyone who needs to do business with county government should physically go to the appropriate office. "And, there's no promise everything will be up and running on Monday morning."
The ransomware has also shut down landlines. It has also affected the Department of Job and Family Services so that those reporting child abuse or neglect must now call the sheriff's office instead of Family Services. Tax and dog licenses can be paid but will not post until the system is back up and running.
"When you're computer dependent, especially government, it makes it difficult to do much,” said County Auditor Mike Smith. “Appraisers are in the field because they can't do anything on the computer. We've let a handful of people go (home early). Their sole function is to do data entry and [they] can't do anything. If this goes on for many days, it's going to be difficult to come up with work."
Moshe Ben-Simon, co-founder and vice president of TrapX Security, stated: “These attacks will not stop. If anything they will increase in frequency. If you pay them there is no guarantee they will release your data. Further, they have every incentive to come back and try to ransom your data again. Government institutions must always pay particular attention to backup and recovery procedures—you are more likely than ever to require implementation of these processes given the current hostile cyber-environment.”
Source: Info Security
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