County Slowed Down by Ransomware After Refusing to Pay Hacker

County Slowed Down by Ransomware After Refusing to Pay Hacker

Mecklenburg County, N.C., is working toward fixing its computer systems after refusing to pay a hacker who used ransomware to freeze dozens of local government servers.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Dec 08, 2017

Mecklenburg County, N.C., is working toward fixing its computer systems after refusing to pay a hacker who used ransomware to freeze dozens of local government servers. The ransomware is said to be a new computer virus strain.

The ransomware attack happened earlier this week after a Mecklenburg County employee opened an email attachment carrying malicious software that froze data on 48 of their 500 servers. 

County Manager Dena Diorio said Wednesday that the county would not pay the hacker’s demand of two Bitcoin, or about $25,000, and would instead use backup data available prior to the hack to rebuild their applications from scratch.

“I am confident that our backup data is secure and we have the resources to fix this situation ourselves,” Diorio said.

Cybersecurity experts called in to work with county officials have said that the hackers are likely from Iran or Ukraine, based on their cyber forensics analysis. Mecklenburg County leaders said the ransomware used in the attack was a new computer virus strain called LockCrypt.

Cybersecurity experts and law enforcement generally recommend against paying hackers ransoms, as that can further incentivize ransomware attacks.

Until the county’s computer system is fixed, residents will face delays and disruptions to county services.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.