Ransomware attack cripples services, including funerals in Korneuburg, Austria

Korneuburg, a town in Austria, was recently hit by a ransomware attack that disrupted the city’s database system, including its backup systems. As a result, the city administration had to cancel funerals as they were unable to issue death certificates.

It is reported that ransom demands have been made on the darknet to restore the services. However, the exact demand was not made public. The town’s deputy mayor, Helene Fuchs-Moser, stated that the police are investigating the incident, and city employees have been asked not to use their computers. On the ransom payment, she noted that the town is against making any such payments.

As per Mein Bezirk, a local newspaper, the attack was discovered on 2 February by the head of the town’s IT department Christopher Kremlick who shared, ‘I suddenly received an email alerting me that something was happening in our data area that shouldn’t be happening. I immediately checked and realized that everything was encrypted.’

Citizens are currently able to reach the admin services via telephone. More details are expected to be uncovered as the investigation unfolds. The Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Chancellery are now involved in the investigation.