City of Atlanta computers on lockdown amid ransomware attack: 7 things to know

Julie Spitzer -

After ransomware struck the city of Atlanta's computer network March 22, its systems are still not fully operational, according to The Washington Post.

Here are seven things to know.

1. Hackers demanding $51,000 worth of bitcoin encrypted some city data around 5:40 a.m. March 22, NPR reports. City officials and other workers have been without access to internet and email since.

2. Other services, such as warrant issuances, water requests, new inmate processing, court fee payments and online bill-pay programs across multiple city departments, were also affected by the cyberattack, according to Reuters.

3. In addition, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport shut down its Wi-Fi as a precaution, and Atlanta residents have been unable to electronically pay bills.

4. Nonetheless, the city is doing its best to continue operations. For example, "The jail and many departments are running on pen and paper while there is no access to electronic records for municipal court," Emily Cureton of Georgia Public Broadcasting told NPR.

5. Police and fire emergency-response systems, water supply safety and airport safety have not been affected.

6. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms told reporters she would discuss the best course of action in regards to paying the ransom with federal authorities. Regardless, she said Atlanta will take a financial hit. "What we know is that someone is in our system and that there is a weakness there," Ms. Bottoms said, according to Reuters. "It is absolutely not what we wanted to have happen in the city of Atlanta."

7. Ms. Bottoms warned Atlanta city employees and residents to monitor their bank accounts and protect their personal information, although she said there is no evidence any personal information has been compromised.

Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to the NPR story cited in this article.

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