Janesville computer systems hit by virus, likely ‘ransomware’

Jessica Arp reports:

Janesville (Wisconsin) officials said they’re still working to recover after a computer virus attacked their network last week.

Information Technology Manager Gordy LaChance said it was caused by multiple employees opening compromised emails that immediately started gathering and reorganizing files in their system. Both emails looked like they were from businesses that the city may have been dealing with. One purported to be an invoice, the other an incorrect credit card charge.

One of those emails was opened by City Clerk/Treasurer Dave Godek, who said he knew immediately something was wrong when the attachment that was supposed to be a screen shot of a utility charge was instead “a page of gobbledegook.”