Post #4

https://www.wisn.com/article/cybersecurity-expert-ties-racine-oshkosh-ransomware-attacks-to-russian-hackers/30902851#

Particularly interesting to me, personally. The two Wisconsin cities that are referred to in the article are Racine, and Oshkosh, respectively. I’m originally from Wisconsin, and lived in Milwaukee for 4 years which is fairly close to Racine. My hometown was about 20 minutes away from Oshkosh, and I used to take classes at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. A topic which has come up a few time in our lectures, Ransomware, has been levied at both of these two cities. A 3rd party cybersecurity firm has claimed that the Ransomeware in question was deployed by Russian based hackers. The firm goes on to suggest that these hackers have been collecting information from these cities as far back as September 2018 to hold ransom. So far, it appears that officials in Oshkosh have confirmed the Russian relation while Racine officials have not. There is an ongoing investigation underway by the FBI while both cities are still attempting to get all of their systems back online. Notably, the mayor of Racine has stated that there have been no actual attempts to collect a ransom in this case and that the city would not comply or pay with any if they are eventually made. A little bit too close to home! I have tons of friends that are from Oshkosh and many from Racine, I hope everyone’s info is okay!