Hackers hit Galt with ransomware attack, downing city employee phones and email, police say
The city of Galt says it was hit by a “ransomware” cyberattack Monday morning, with hackers demanding an unknown ransom amount.
The hack has affected computer systems and has allowed “encrypted access to data on certain City servers but has not resulted in the exposure of personal data, though investigation is ongoing,” according to a news release posted Tuesday on the city website and by the Galt Police Department.
“The City’s email server was also damaged and email communication to and from City accounts is not operational,” and the phone system was also disrupted, meaning the public cannot currently complete calls to city employees’ lines until the damage is repaired.
Emergency 911 lines are still working.
Officials in the south Sacramento County city reported the attack to the state Department of Justice and to the FBI and are working with information technology experts and law enforcement to investigate the attack and evaluate its full impact.
Authorities said that “hackers placed malware” on city computerized systems sometime early Monday morning in pursuit of a ransom payment but that the “ransom amount is presently unknown,” according to the police news release.
More details will be released to the public as soon as possible, the Galt Police Department said.
