FBI Says Ransomware Attacks on the Rise

Ransomware attacks are on the rise in Georgia, and across the United States, according to the FBI.

FBI Atlanta special agent Chad Hunt says that type of cybercrime cost Georgians more than 20 million dollars last year. Ransomware uses data encryption to block access to a person or organization’s own data. They then demand a ransom to unlock it.

Atlanta-headquartered Equifax was targeted in 2017 affecting data belonging to millions of Americans. They’ve since hired more than 600 security professionals to fend off any repetition. The city of Atlanta was hit by ransomware in 2018.

Last week, Mount Vernon Mills in Trion was the victim of a ransomware attack. The mill’s production has been affected but is expected to be back on track sometime this week.

The FBI says anyone online can be a target.

(WZQZ)