Madison County Servers - HELD RANSOM

[Palehorse]

I heard that a lot of times they don't release anything even after the ransom is paid and you're out the money and the files.

I suspect that is exactly what will happen if they pay the ransom in this case. 

[Locutus]

I heard that a lot of times they don't release anything even after the ransom is paid and you're out the money and the files.

That's absolutely true.  It's part of the ugly underbelly of the Internet.

[me]

Wonder if I'll have to go up there to pay my utility bill, I usually pay online. Gonna give it a try either later tonight or tomorrow but if I have to go up and pay it I guess I will. I'd rather do that than buy stamps.....

[me]

Paid my utility bill just fine so it must not have affected the web site. Now whether it gets credited properly is another thing. 

[Palehorse]

Paid my utility bill just fine so it must not have affected the web site. Now whether it gets credited properly is another thing. 

Umm yeah. . . They don't have access to the online system. In fact all computers are shut off at the utility office. My guess is you just paid the software which they cannot access; and may have paid the kidnappers!

They were handing out written receipts today. . .

[Locutus]

Their external websites are probably hosted on the servers of other service providers and not stored on the servers with the ransomware.  That's probably why your payment was processed. 

[me]

Umm yeah. . . They don't have access to the online system. In fact all computers are shut off at the utility office. My guess is you just paid the software which they cannot access; and may have paid the kidnappers!

They were handing out written receipts today. . .

As long as I have my reciept that shows I paid it I'm good and I did print it out.

[Palehorse]

As long as I have my reciept that shows I paid it I'm good and I did print it out.

You better hope so.

My money is on a double bill next cycle and a shut off notification to boot! 

[me]

You better hope so.

My money is on a double bill next cycle and a shut off notification to boot! 

Wow, that's unreal. Is your meter in a place where you can easily read it yourself?

[Palehorse]

Wow, that's unreal. Is your meter in a place where you can easily read it yourself?

Yep. And I will do so. . .

Next months cycle will probably all be estimated bills too. Watch. . . Probably won't go back to the automated system until after the new year.

[me]

Yep. And I will do so. . .

Next months cycle will probably all be estimated bills too. Watch. . . Probably won't go back to the automated system until after the new year.

It's been a few years since I've had any problems with them and learned to read my own meter when I had an experience similar to yours before they went to the automated read. Fortunately I came out the victor and didn't have to pay the high bill, wasn't as high as yours but still high, but I've kept my eye on things since.

[Y]

Having seen some interviews about this on different news channels, I'll lay money you won't get all the facts about this from local .gov under any circumstances.

It certainly appeared the spokesperson was trying to BS her way through without committing any information.

[Locutus]

What was she saying about it?

[Locutus]

Looks like they decided to pay the ransom.  I hope that works out for them, because there's really no guarantee the data will be unscrambled even after the ransom is paid. 

It also appears that they didn't have a backup. 

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/news/local_news/county-to-pay-ransom-in-computer-system-hacking-case/article_0a4497a8-a516-11e6-8455-2b7f0dd5bd9a.html

[Y]

That's some of it there.

She was saying the insurance company was forcing them to pay the ransom.

She was avoiding talking about backups.  Can't have the public knowing they're not doing their due diligence in protecting and safekeeping important records, now can we?