Ransomware Attack Targets St. Louis Public Library

Ransomware attack recently hit the computer system of St. Louis Public Library. According to Waller McGuire, executive director of the library, hackers demanded a massive amount of Bitcoins to be transmitted into one remote bank that's untraceable.

Describing the attack as an extremely sophisticated one on the library's system, McGuire declared that the library had decided not to acquiesce with any ransom payment for restoring its PCs, therefore, St. Louis Public Library didn't stretch the incident far enough.

Public Relations Manager Jen Hatton in-charge of the library arrangement states that one hacker group lately compromised their server after which it has demanded dollars in the tens-of-thousands for restoring the PCs back to the library. The assault is disrupting all 700 PCs installed inside sixteen branches of the library. The problem needs to be solved before any visitor to the library can actually work with the computers. Meanwhile, technology staff of the library is coordinating an investigation process with FBI. And with the PCs inoperable, patrons cannot as well check to get the books they want. KPLR posted this, January 19, 2017.

In ransomware attacks, hackers typically plant programs towards making PCs else entire networks non-functional. Thereafter, they would threaten to hold back hardware and/or information until the original owner pays a sum of money demanded. And soon as the payment is made, a general restoration of the PCs and information follows.

There isn't any clear understanding whether the hackers breached any sensitive information. The particular ransomware assault impacts PCs that administration and staff, or public separately uses.

According to Wheelock, certain steps taken can help stop getting victimized with ransomware. So Wheelock suggests maintaining backup of data. In addition, people must be wary of whatever links or attachments they're clicking, while deploy an effective anti-virus on their systems, update their PCs regularly, and incase there's a ransomware on their computers they must stop everything before asking a professional to handle the problem.

While FBI is investigating, on Thursday, the technology group of the library's computers was engaged in getting the PCs restored. According to Wheelock, the process could consume many days or several weeks even.

» SPAMfighter News - 1/24/2017