Priya PatelTLDR:
- Providence Public Schools Department faces ransomware attack demanding $1 million ransom
- Hacker group Medusa threatens to release over 200 gigabytes of data if ransom is not paid
A hacker group known as Medusa is threatening to release over 200 gigabytes of data taken from the Providence Public Schools Department if the district does not pay a $1 million ransom. The data breach includes sensitive information such as parent emails, phone numbers, and employee IDs. The district’s internet access was shut down to prevent further damage, and investigations are ongoing. The ransomware group has demanded payment in Bitcoin, and the district is working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to address the breach.
The ransomware works by encrypting files and forces the data owners to pay up, typically within a specified time frame. If the ransom is not paid, the files are released publicly. The Medusa group has been targeting various sectors, including education and health, and has previously conducted similar ransom attempts. The district is still open about a senior director of information technology, and the breach has prompted discussions on network security measures. The situation is being closely monitored by both local and state authorities.
