Reports: Hackers Target Delaware Public Library System, Investigation Underway

From NBC 5 Philadelphia:

Since last week, Delaware residents haven’t been able to use computers or the Internet at any of the state’s public libraries due to a cyber attack.

Signs are plastered on doors at different libraries warning people not to log into the Wi-Fi and sharing that all PCs are out of order.

State library officials told NBC10 that a ransomware attack has taken all public library internet options off the table.

“It’s almost always some sort of phishing email or some sort of social engineering is what we call it when you trick a user into doing something,” said Matt Barnett, CEO of cyber security firm Sevn-X.

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From Spotlight Deleware

The hackers now are demanding money from the state in order to relinquish control of the system, [Delaware Division of Libraries Director Annie] Norman, said. She did not know the exact amount demanded but said she “heard” it was around $1 million.

Norman added that she will direct the Division of Libraries not to pay any ransom, insisting instead that the Delaware libraries rebuild the servers that run the public’s computers.

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The Division of Libraries technology staff has been consulting with officials from Microsoft and with the Delaware Department of Technology and Information, Norman said. They still are trying to determine “what happened and where they got it,” she said.

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See Also: RansomHub Genius tries to Put the Squeeze on Delaware Libraries (via The Register)

Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries, Reports