California City Confirms It Was Hit by Bitcoin Ransomware Attack

According to its city manager, Steve Schwabauer, Lodi City, California, was hit by a ransomware attack earlier this year. Those behind it demanded a Bitcoin ransom of 75 BTC be paid for computer systems to be returned to normal.

Schwabauer confirmed that city staff received an email resembling an invoice. Contained within were files to encrypt computer systems relating to various city services.

City Manager Confirms Lodi Will Update Digital Security Following Bitcoin Ransomware

The Lodi City Manager has said that the issues that plagued the city’s computer systems in April and May of this year were caused by a Bitcoin ransomware attack. According to a report in cyber security publication Government Technology, the city’s phone lines and financial data systems were targeted.

Those behind the attack sent malicious software to city staff under the guise of an email that appeared to have an invoice attached. Once the worker clicked the attachment, the software spread through the…