Attack hits computers of Pa. Senate Democrats
HARRISBURG - Senate Democrats said Friday that they are in contact with the FBI and the state Attorney General's Office after a "ransomware" cyberattack shut down their computer systems.
HARRISBURG - Senate Democrats said Friday that they are in contact with the FBI and the state Attorney General's Office after a "ransomware" cyberattack shut down their computer systems.
The attack left lawmakers and staff in the caucus unable to access their computer network or data.
State Sen. Jay Costa (D., Allegheny) said the ransomware attack was discovered Friday morning.
Citing the investigation, caucus officials aren't saying what, if any, ransom was demanded in exchange for access to the network.
A ransomware attack is typically aimed at stealing sensitive information in an attempt to be paid for the data's return, often in a digital currency.
An FBI spokeswoman in Philadelphia didn't immediately have any information about the case.
Gov. Wolf's office said the attack had not affected the state's networks, which are separate from the Senate Democrats' computers.
All four caucuses use separate servers and only the Senate Democrats seemed to be affected, according to the York Daily Record.
Ransomware is malicious software that prevents systems from working properly, often by encrypting files, until a ransom is paid.
