How Lubbock County Fended Off A Ransomware Attack

“They did exactly what they’re trained to do, and that’s call our IT department immediately.”

By Terri LangfordAugust 23, 2019 1:36 pm,

More than 20 Texas cities have been attacked with ransomware recently. Though state officials won’t divulge the targets, the Houston Chronicle reports that the city of Keene was affected, and the city of Borger issued a statement about the effects of its own attack.

But Lubbock County fended off the cyberattack. Judge Curtis Parrish is head of the Lubbock County Commissioner’s Court, and says that’s because an employee noticed a suspicious file.

“They did exactly what they’re trained to do, and that’s call our IT department immediately,” Parrish says. “What we found out was that was a ransomware virus.”

What you’ll hear in this segment:

– How Lubbock County prepares its staff to avoid cyberattacks

– Why smaller municipalities can be more vulnerable to cyberattacks

– What to do if you notice something suspicious online or in your email

 

Written by Caroline Covington.