Ransomware attack hits Rockdale County servers, impacts some services

The system was infiltrated after a Rockdale County employee opened an email attachment containing a computer virus.

The system was infiltrated after a Rockdale County employee opened an email attachment containing a computer virus.

Some Rockdale County services will be impacted Friday after multiple county servers were hit by a ransomware attack, officials said.

Up to nine of the county’s servers were compromised in the attack, according to Rockdale County Technology Services. The system was infiltrated after an employee opened an email attachment containing a computer virus.

An internal alert system tipped county officials to the breach, and triage and troubleshooting began immediately, the technology department said. The extent of the damage is unknown.

“A shutdown of all servers will happen at some point today to investigate any unwanted infiltration,” the department said in a Facebook post. “Phone line(s), internet and email will have sporadic connectivity.”

In addition, Rockdale Water Resources will be unable to process payments Friday. Any bills due Friday will be given a grace period, which the county will determine once the issue is resolved.

More details will be released on the Rockdale County government Facebook page as they become available, officials said. Those with questions or immediate concerns can contact 770-278-7076.

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