Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • NPR

    As Atlanta Seeks To Restore Services, Ransomware Attacks Are On The Rise

    The FBI says the practice of locking computer systems in exchange for money has become increasingly common, and that cities, schools and hospitals are especially vulnerable to hackers.
    by Vanessa Romo Mar 30, 2018 5 minutes
    Ransomware attacks against cities, schools and hospitals have been on the rise, officials say.

    Atlanta city officials are not saying whether they were strong-armed into paying the $51,000 ransom to hackers holding many of the municipality's online services hostage, but they did announce progress in restoring networks on Thursday.

    Police officers are once again able to file reports electronically and some investigative databases thought to have been corrupted by the ransomware attack have turned out to be unscathed, the city says. The city's 311 system — which deals with things such as trash pick-up and reporting of potholes — is also back in operation.

    As a precaution, however, law enforcement is still not using some of its databases and the city's water department can't take any form of payment. Plus, the municipal court continues to push off its caseload, indefinitely.

    Atlanta is just the latest target

    You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

    More from NPR

    NPR2 min readWorld
    A Baby Girl Born Orphaned And Premature After An Israeli Airstrike In Gaza Has Died
    The newborn died after five days in an incubator. Her family was killed in an air strike. UNICEF says 13,000 children have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, with thousands more orphaned and wounded.
    NPR3 min readInternational Relations
    Hamas Says It's Preparing To Respond To Israel's Latest Gaza Cease-fire Proposal
    The militant group says it's examining the latest Israeli suggestions for a cease-fire in Gaza, seven months into the conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
    NPR6 min readAmerican Government
    Mike Johnson And The Troubled History Of Recent Republican Speakers
    Johnson is the sixth Republican elevated to the speakership since 1994. The five who preceded him all saw their time in the office end in relative degrees of defeat or frustration.

    Related Books & Audiobooks