Security News > 2021 > August > Joplin: City Computer Shutdown Was Ransomware Attack
The insurer for Joplin paid $320,00 to an unknown person after a ransomware attack shut down the city's government's computer system last month, Joplin City Manager Nick Edwards said Thursday.
The money was paid to keep any sensitive information accessed by the attack from being exposed, Edwards said in a news release.
Investigations into who was responsible for the attack and what information was accessed is continuing, The Joplin Globe reported.
Computer servers and programs that operated the city's online services were closed down on July 7.
Cybersecurity firms hired to recover the city's information technology systems have restored nearly every system needed to resume normal operations, including the city's COVID-19 dashboard, online utility payments and court functions, Edwards said.
Joplin officials will not disclose any further information about the breach to avoid exposing the city to future attacks, and the city is working to find technology to protect against future attacks.
News URL
Related news
- Ransomware on ESXi: The mechanization of virtualized attacks (source)
- OneBlood confirms personal data stolen in July ransomware attack (source)
- Enzo Biochem settles lawsuit over 2023 ransomware attack for $7.5M (source)
- Medusa ransomware group claims attack on UK's Gateshead Council (source)
- Ransomware attack forces Brit high school to shut doors (source)
- Ransomware gangs pose as IT support in Microsoft Teams phishing attacks (source)
- Security pros more confident about fending off ransomware, despite being battered by attacks (source)
- Only 13% of organizations fully recover data after a ransomware attack (source)
- Ransomware attack at New York blood services provider – donors turned away during shortage crisis (source)
- Ransomware attack disrupts New York blood donation giant (source)