Hinds County computer system remains under ransomware atta…
[ad_1]Hinds County government offices remain closed because of a ransomware attack on its computer system.Friday was the second straight day the Hinds County Tax Collector's office and other state offices were forced to close.People coming to renew their license plates were greeted by a closed sign outside the building."What about my late fee? And so am I going to be refunded? It's just a bad situation," said Margaret Howard, who was trying to renew her car tag.Hinds County Tax Collector Eddie Fair said people will not be penalized because of the attack."We will waive those days so that they can take care of the business they need to take care of, because it wasn't their fault. It's our fault," Fair said.County leaders said people behind the computer hack sent them a phone number to call to find out how much the ransom is. Officials contacted federal authorities.U.S. Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating.Hinds County Administrator Kenny Wayne Jones said firewalls were installed to keep cybercriminals out of the system after a similar attack a few years ago."Sometimes it's just not enough for sophisticated cyberattacks," Jones said.Officials said the computer system could be back online early next week but also said it could be longer.
Hinds County government offices remain closed because of a ransomware attack on its computer system.
Friday was the second straight day the Hinds County Tax Collector's office and other state offices were forced to close.
People coming to renew their license plates were greeted by a closed sign outside the building.
"What about my late fee? And so am I going to be refunded? It's just a bad situation," said Margaret Howard, who was trying to renew her car tag.
Hinds County Tax Collector Eddie Fair said people will not be penalized because of the attack.
"We will waive those days so that they can take care of the business they need to take care of, because it wasn't their fault. It's our fault," Fair said.
County leaders said people behind the computer hack sent them a phone number to call to find out how much the ransom is. Officials contacted federal authorities.
U.S. Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating.
Hinds County Administrator Kenny Wayne Jones said firewalls were installed to keep cybercriminals out of the system after a similar attack a few years ago.
"Sometimes it's just not enough for sophisticated cyberattacks," Jones said.
Officials said the computer system could be back online early next week but also said it could be longer.
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Tags: Don Lichterman, Hacking & Cyber-Crime, SCA Sunset, Sunset Host Co