US libraries hit by ransomware attack

Libraries across St Louis gradually regaining control of computer systems following malware attack.

Criminals have hacked into the systems of 17 libraries throughout the city of St Louis in America, disabling them and demanding a ransom.

According to a report by the BBC, all services are now being restored following the attack, which happened on January 17, and no ransom has been paid to the attackers.

Malware attack hit 17 libraries throughout the city of St Louis in America

Technical staff at the libraries across St Louis worked “through the night and weekend” to regain access to the affected servers, using the library’s back-up system to restore them, Mr McGuire said in a statement.

Mr McGuire said: “St Louis Public Library has been working with the FBI to identify how criminals broke into our system and correct the problem.

“An attempt to hold information and access to the world for ransom is deeply frightening and offensive to any public library, and we will make every effort to keep that world available to our patrons.”

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