Canadian town bows to ransomware attack, will pay attackers

guest · Sep 12, 2018

Canadian town bows to ransomware attack, will pay attackers
September 12, 2018
https://www.scmagazine.com/home/news/canadian-town-bows-to-ransomware-attack-will-pay-attackers/

The small Canadian town of Midland, Ontario plans to pay off the malicious actors who shut down the municipalities compute system with a ransomware attack on Sept. 1.

The town is now negotiating with the attackers, according to a CTV News story, but Midland’s leaders have not released the ransom amount being discussed. The nearby town of Wasaga Beach, Ontario was also recently victimized with a similar attack with a ransom or $144,000, which was bargained down to $35,000, CTV said.

Midland, a town of about 16,000 located on the shores of Lake Huron, said in a report on the incident the cyberattack hit at 2 am on Sept. 1 and quickly took down several municipal systems. Town workers were able to partially limit the damage by separating some vital services, such as water and sewage, from the main network. The local fire and rescue departments operate on a different network.
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Beyonder · Sep 12, 2018

How the hell did an entire city get ransomwared? I'm guessing they didn't update their software for years?

guest · Sep 14, 2018

Probably. And there were several attacks in recent months:

Ontario police warn of cyberattacks
September 14, 2018
https://www.orangeville.com/news-story/8901733-ontario-police-warn-of-cyberattacks/

A rash of cyberattacks on Ontario municipal governments in which hackers demand a ransom to unlock compromised systems has prompted the provincial police force to warn about what it describes as a recent trend.

Ontario Provincial Police didn't disclose how many municipalities had been temporarily crippled by the incidents known as ransomware attacks, but at least two recently had their systems compromised and the mayor of one of them said he's heard of multiple other cases.

"In recent months there have been several ransomware (hack/virus) attacks on businesses and municipal government offices within Ontario," wrote the force, which did not respond to requests for further comment.

The town's experience suggests an emerging industry around cyberattacks has taken root, McKay said, adding he's heard from municipalities both inside and outside of Ontario who've gone through a similar ordeal.
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Trooper · Sep 14, 2018

Lol. No surprise here.

Circuit · Sep 14, 2018

Let's all pay, eh?

Trooper · Sep 14, 2018

Circuit said: ↑

Let's all pay, eh?
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Yes!!!

ProTruckDriver · Sep 14, 2018

Beyonder said: ↑

How the hell did an entire city get ransomwared? I'm guessing they didn't update their software for years?
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I wouldn't doubt it. A few days ago I went to the DMV to get my drivers license renewed. I noticed the DMV is still using Windows XP.

zapjb · Sep 14, 2018

Then they'll up their IT security budget up to $1,000 a year.

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