Ransomware Attack Disrupts California Courts' Communication Systems

LOS ANGELES – A significant ransomware attack targeting the Superior Court of Los Angeles County has resulted in widespread communication disruptions across several California courts. The attack, which occurred on Friday, affected the phone servers for courts in Shasta, Inyo, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus, and Colusa counties, as confirmed by Melissa Fowler Bradley, executive officer for Shasta County Superior Court. As a result, these courts have been operating without phone, fax, or text reminder services. Jurors in Shasta County have been advised to check online for updates regarding their jury duty, as the usual recorded phone line for reporting has been rendered inoperative. The Los Angeles court system responded to the attack by disabling its computer network immediately upon discovery, leading to the closure of all 36 courthouses in the county on Monday. Although the courthouses reopened on Tuesday, some online services and remote appearances remained unavailable as of Wednesday. Despite the communication challenges, Bradley noted that cases in Shasta County Superior Court have continued as scheduled. She indicated that the phone system might be restored by Thursday, although it is more likely to be operational over the weekend. Officials clarified that this ransomware incident is unrelated to a recent faulty software update from CrowdStrike that caused disruptions in various sectors globally. Ransomware attacks involve encrypting a target's files and demanding payment for their restoration, posing significant risks to essential services.