A number of libraries have been victims of ransomware attacks. Unlike many targets of these kind of attacks, libraries do not have especially deep pockets. Further, there is broad consensus among the library information technology community not to engage with the perpetrators of these attacks. This article provides listings of known ransomware attacks on libraries and will be updated as new incidents are discovered.
Other Library-Related ransomware attacks
| Ransomware attacks targeting libraries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Library/Organization | Date | Source |
| Boston Public Library | Aug 2021 | Statement from the Boston Public Library: Technical Outage |
| EKZ Bibliotheksservice | May 2022 | Lockbit ransomware attack cripples parts of German library service |
| Westchester County Library | Apr 2022 | Sophisticated Ransomware Attack Hits Westchester Libraries |
| Northampton Area Public Library | Nov 2020 | Northampton Area Public Library hit by ransomware attack |
| Contra Costa County libraries | Feb 2020 | Libraries hit with ransomware attack |
| Onondaga County Library | Jul 2019 | Foreign crime group's cyber attack shuts down networks at libraries, Syracuse schools |
| Butler County Federated Library System | Jul 2019 | Ransomware Attack Hits Local Libraries |
| Spartanburg County Public Library | Jan 2018 | Ransomware news on Spartanburg Public Library and GandCrab |
| St. Louis Public Library | Jan 2017 | St. Louis Public Library Recovers from Ransomware Attack |
