City of Shafter hit by ransomware attack

[Destry Winant <destry () riskbasedsecurity com>]

https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/city-of-shafter-hit-by-ransomware-attack

Bakersfield, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — After suffering a ransomware attack
over the weekend, the city of Shafter's IT system has been compromised
and is unable to be unlocked.

"Ultimately these people want to disrupt the city services that are
being offered in such a way that forces the township or city to have
to pay the ransom that's being levied against them,” Kierk Sanderlin,
a cyber security expert, said.

Sanderlin says attacks like these are becoming increasingly common.

"In 2019, a 60 percent increase against state, local governments,
municipalities and such,” he said.

The city is working federal law enforcement agencies to determine the
source and extent of the unauthorized access.

Sanderlin says smaller cities, like Shafter, are often times easier
targets for cyber criminals.

"In many cases, particularly some of these smaller communities,
because they don't have a decent cyber security budget or a highly
trained staff. So that makes them kind of easy pickings, if you will,
for some of these ransomware crews today,” he said.

And while Shafter doesn't think any personal information about city
residents has been obtained, Sanderlin advises people to still be
careful.

"Monitor your credit, monitor transactions that you may see in the
future related to things that could have been compromised where you
were conducting business with that municipality,” Sanderlin said.
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