Caution Hackers: Ransomware Attacks Increase in US

Ransomware is malware that cybercriminals can use to lock your computer. This is a problem if this happens to someone's personal computer. But if fraudsters infiltrate a city computer system, they can turn off important information such as police records and tax payments.

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Perhaps that is why there is a clear increase in the number of ransomware attacks on municipal authorities. The cybersecurity firm Recorded Future reported that as of May 2013, more than 170 city, county and state management systems were attacked, including at least 45 police stations and sheriff’s offices.

Ransomware is most often spread through malicious links or attachments in email messages. According to the FBI, the adjusted losses associated with such programs rose from 2,3 million in 2017 to 3,6 million in 2018. However, authorities said that they may be aware of only a small fraction of these incidents, as some victims are too embarrassed to report attacks.

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The FBI urges ransomware victims not to pay the requested ransom, as this encourages attackers to continue to attack and does not guarantee that they will actually release encrypted files.

But some local governments, faced with the loss of irreplaceable data, surrendered and paid. Here are a few recent ransomware attacks that hit municipal governments and how much they cost:

Baltimore, Maryland - May 2019

Ransomware hit the city of 7 in May, and hackers initially demanded a ransom of 80 000 dollars.

Officials estimate that recovery from the attack will cost 18,2 one million dollars. Since then, the city’s IT department has spent 4,6 million dollars on restoration and plans to spend another 5,4 million dollars by the end of the year. Officials said that an additional 8,2 million was lost or detained as a result of the attack.

Investigators also found that Baltimore's computer network was hacked by more than one group.

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In August, officials voted to transfer 6 millions of dollars from the parks and community facilities fund to help cover the costs of the attack. The city council is also considering the possibility of concluding an agreement on covering cyber responsibility.

Akron, Ohio - January 2019

The cyberattack forced the city to shut down much of its 311 system after a heavy snowstorm. Authorities said hackers demanded a “five-figure sum” of money.

Mayor Dan Horrigan turned to Governor Mike Devine for help on the Ohio State Guard cyber team. The governor approved of this, and the state sent eight cybersecurity experts.

According to officials, Akron did not have to pay a ransom because the city backed up all city documents daily.

Lincoln County, North Carolina - July-August 2019

In the summer, the district underwent two cyber attacks. The first occurred on July 26, and authorities said hackers took the sheriff's office computers and site hostage.

The second attack occurred on the night of August 6 and caused damage to the district communications, but officials said they were not informed of any ransom requests.

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The county worked with the FBI and the North Carolina National Guard IT Assistance Team to investigate and recover from these attacks. The sheriff's office was phasing out the servers, and new systems should be more secure. They have already spent 200 000 dollars on equipment upgrades.

Lake City, Florida - June 2019

The cyberattack turned off the computer systems of the city for several days. The city collaborated with the FBI and external consultants to restore telephone lines, email, and utility bills.

The city’s IT director was fired. The city government approved the payment of about 42 460 dollars to hackers 000 bitcoins through its insurance company.

Riviera Beach, Florida - May-June 2019

Hackers apparently entered the city’s computer system when a police officer clicked on a malicious link in a letter. The city lost its email system, and 911 dispatchers were unable to enter calls into the computer.

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Officials agreed that the city insurer would pay 65 bitcoins worth about 600 000 dollars, as it became clear that they would not be able to regain access to data that was not reserved.

The city council also voted to spend 941 000 dollars on hundreds of new computers and other equipment to rebuild its IT infrastructure.

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