The Seemingly Random and Definitely Worrisome Cyberattack on Atlanta

https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-seemingly-random-and-definitely-worrisome-cyberattack-on-atlanta

The city of Atlanta became a victim of ransomware on Thursday. According to the chair of the city’s finance committee, this is the biggest debacle he has seen in last 2 decades. All the information of last 16 years has been lost.  The group which has been identified behind the cyber-attack is identified as SamSam. Many more cities like Boeing have been affected by ransomware but the Atlanta is the largest city to be affected by ransomware so far. It is not yet clear if it is done for monetary incentives. Moreover, the city does not have the policy regarding the payment compensation of ransomware.

A federal criminal investigation is going on. Not many details have been revealed by the authorities so far.  The executive committee of the city held a meeting to discuss the attack but no major solution has been found so far. Chair of the finance committee said there are 9700 employees. So anyone can open an attachment related to the cyber-attack which comes in their mail for the purpose of malware or ransomware. He seemed helpless and he did not know how to prevent it in future.  The city administration has told the city to use more sophisticated methods to prevent such kind of attacks.