[ad_1]
<div _ngcontent-c14 = "" innerhtml = "
Business did not go as usual at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport last week. Several information systems have been disrupted by an outbreak of ransomware.
Moving sidewalks at Hopkins International Airport (Image: Wikipedia)
Image: Wikipedia
according to WKYC, NBC Local Affiliate, the malware touched computers linked to Hopkins' e-mail, payroll and digital recording systems. Digital signage around the airport was also affected, most of them displaying only black screens when the ransomware software took root.
Ransomware infections, especially those targeting critical infrastructure, can be disastrous. Things could have been much worse in Cleveland, but the scope of the ransomware was somewhat limited.
Mayor Frank Jackson's office told WKYC that the attack was "an isolated technical incident" and fortunately for the travelers, the critical operations at Hopkins were not affected. The TSA was able to maintain the security filtering lines smoothly. Arrivals and departures were on time and baggage went well between planes and terminals.
Regardless of the severity of the infection, the ransomwares (although politicians speak of an "isolated technical incident") on an airport should not be taken lightly. The FBI is currently investigating the attack.
Cleveland City Hall is far from the only one to have to deal with malicious software infecting its computer systems. Earlier this month, Albany, New York, was hit, but not as hard. Daily operations are generally not affected. The city, however, has not been able to provide birth, death or marriage certificates.
Albany got it pretty easily. You only need to look at Atlanta to see the damage caused by a ransomware attack.
Locals were unable to pay their bills electronically. The police had to classify the reports in pen and paper. The court system had no way to access digital records. On to Hartsfield-Jackson, America's busiest airport, the public Wi-Fi had to be stopped.
When Atlanta systems were compromised, the infamous SamSam malware claimed a ransom of about $ 55,000 in cryptocurrency. By the time the city was completely cured of infection, the total bill was close to $ 17 million.
It does not seem that Cleveland is experiencing this kind of financial success. Other municipalities must learn from these events and be proactive – Spending a dollar on prevention now can avoid subsequent sanitation costs of $ 100 (or more).
">
Business did not go as usual at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport last week. Several information systems have been disrupted by an outbreak of ransomware.
Moving sidewalks at Hopkins International Airport (Image: Wikipedia)
Image: Wikipedia
According to WKYC, a local affiliate of NBC, the malware has affected computers linked to Hopkins' email, payroll and digital recording systems. Digital signage around the airport was also affected, most of them displaying only black screens when the ransomware software took root.
Ransomware infections, especially those targeting critical infrastructure, can be disastrous. Things could have been much worse in Cleveland, but the scope of the ransomware was somewhat limited.
Mayor Frank Jackson's office told WKYC that the attack was an "isolated technical incident" and that fortunately for the travelers, the critical operations at Hopkins were not affected. The TSA was able to maintain the security filtering lines smoothly. Arrivals and departures were on time and baggage went well between planes and terminals.
Regardless of the severity of the infection, the ransomwares (although politicians speak of an "isolated technical incident") on an airport should not be taken lightly. The FBI is currently investigating the attack.
Cleveland City Hall is far from the only one to have to deal with malicious software infecting its computer systems. Earlier this month, Albany, New York, was hit, but not as hard. Daily operations are generally not affected. The city, however, has not been able to provide birth, death or marriage certificates.
Albany got it pretty easily. Just look at Atlanta to see the damage caused by a ransomware attack.
Locals were unable to pay their bills electronically. The police had to classify the reports in pen and paper. The court system had no way to access digital records. On to Hartsfield-Jackson, America's busiest airport, the public Wi-Fi had to be stopped.
When Atlanta systems were compromised, the infamous SamSam malware claimed a ransom of about $ 55,000 in cryptocurrency. By the time the city was completely cured of infection, the total bill was close to $ 17 million.
It does not seem that Cleveland is experiencing this kind of financial success. Other municipalities need to learn from these events and be proactive: spending a dollar on prevention now can help avoid over $ 100 (or more) in reclamation costs later.