The city of Hoboken, New Jersey, was struck by a ransomware attack early Wednesday morning, leading to significant disruptions across municipal services. The attack prompted officials to close City Hall and suspend all online city services, causing a wide range of outages and shutdowns just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. In a statement published around 10 a.m. EST, the city announced the immediate closure of municipal court services and the cancellation of street sweeping. However, certain services like waste collection and recreational programs were able to continue without interruption.
Local authorities are working to address the attack, with the Hoboken Police Department, in collaboration with the city’s IT department, leading the investigation. The city emphasized its commitment to restoring services safely while ensuring public security. Updates regarding the situation are expected to be provided as more information becomes available. While the breach has impacted city operations, other enforcement activities, including parking, remain in effect, and residents are advised to follow ongoing communications for the latest developments.
As of now, no ransomware group has claimed responsibility for the attack, leaving questions about the nature of the threat unanswered. The attack in Hoboken adds to a troubling trend in New Jersey, where multiple institutions have been targeted by ransomware in recent years. Notably, New Jersey City University was struck by the Rhysida ransomware gang earlier in July, leading to significant disruptions as the institution prepared for the new academic year. The widespread nature of these incidents highlights the growing prevalence of ransomware threats across the state.
Ransomware incidents, particularly those targeting government and educational institutions, continue to pose significant risks to public safety and operations. The Hoboken attack serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that cities and organizations face from these cybercriminal groups. As authorities work to resolve the issue, Hoboken residents and other institutions across New Jersey are urged to remain vigilant and adopt proactive cybersecurity measures to protect against similar threats.
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