Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Foster City Halts Most Services After Ransomware Attack

Officials hire outside experts to probe possible data exposure.

Overview

  • IT staff detected ransomware early Thursday, prompting the shutdown of most city computer systems and a pause on non-emergency services.
  • Emergency operations, including 911, are functioning, and police emergency and non-emergency phone lines that briefly went down have been restored.
  • City Hall remains open to the public with limited services as independent cybersecurity specialists investigate and begin remediation.
  • The City Manager’s office is preparing a state of emergency request to unlock supplemental financial support from outside agencies.
  • Residents and anyone who have done business with the city are urged to change passwords while investigators determine whether public information was accessed.