OMV locations remain closed this morning because of Monday’s attempted ransomware attack on state computer systems. Louisiana Cybersecurity commissioner Jeff Moulton says someone installed unauthorized software onto a state computer. Moulton says the software contained a virus that holds data hostage until a ransom is paid.
“Do not ever pay a ransom because there is no guarantee that once you make the payment that they are giving you the key to unlock your data, it can escalate where they’ll demand more ransom,” said Moulton. “What I do tell people is make good back-ups.”
Moulton says this particular virus was contained to about 130 servers and 1,600 work stations.
This is the third time that the state’s cybersecurity task force has been activated this year. Moulton says these attacks happen every day around the world and it is up to the best judgment of users to not open malware files.
“Stop. Think. Click, do not introduce new software or new hardware to your system, most agencies have very defined organizational policies that control how software or hardware is introduced to your network,” said Moulton.
Moulton says while law enforcement do their best to track down the people behind the cyberattacks, often they can avoid being found and brought to justice.
“People are doing this kind of attacks are pretty sophisticated, so it’s not like the real world where you have DNA that you can take to court, it’s a little more trickier than that,” said Moulton.
