Ransom Virus Shuts Down Louisiana Government Computers

A ransomware attack brought Louisiana government agencies to a grinding halt on Monday.

WAFB, of Baton Rouge, is reporting that around 11am yesterday the state government had to shutdown many government websites as well as internet and email access to its workers across the state.

The biggest websites hit were the Office of the Governor, Louisiana State Legislature, Office of Motor Vehicles, and Department of Corrections.  However, many more were affected.

The Department of Homeland Security says:

Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, designed to deny access to a computer system or data until a ransom is paid. Ransomware typically spreads through phishing emails or by unknowingly visiting an infected website. Ransomware can be devastating to an individual or an organization.

Governor Edwards tweeted that the state didn't and will not pay the ransom to restore the systems.

The Office of the Commissioner says it could be several days before all the government's systems are back on track.

The Louisiana Cyber Security Team is investigating the attack.