According to the Daviess County Public Library Director Erin Waller, the library experienced a ransomware attack around 1 p.m. Sunday. While Waller did not disclose what information was affected from the library’s server, she did confirm that patron’s personal and financial information was not affected.
Waller said the notice received Sunday was vague, claiming that information had been encrypted and would not be released without six bitcoin, a type of digital currency, which is the equivalent of $30,000.
“We are not going to pay the ransom,” Waller said. “We have back ups and we will take the time to restore the information.”
In the meantime, the library cannot check materials in or out. For patrons who had material due to be returned today, late fees will not be enforced. Waller said the building is still open and patrons are welcome to use the computers and internet. All planned programming will also continue.
“We hope this is just for today,” Waller said, noting that her IT department has been working around the clock since the attack Sunday. “We hope circulation will be reopened tomorrow.”
