Notebookcheck Logo

Hackers hit Rhode Island, demand ransom for stolen state data

Hackers hit Rhode Island, demand ransom for stolen state data (Image Source: Generated with Dall-E 3)
Hackers hit Rhode Island, demand ransom for stolen state data (Image Source: Generated with Dall-E 3)
An international cybercriminal group hacked into Rhode Island's online portal for social services and stole personal and bank credentials, including social security numbers.

Rhode Island's officials have confirmed that an international cybercriminal group managed to infiltrate RIBridges, the US state's online social services portal. In what they deem extortion, the officials said the hackers are demanding a ransom in exchange for the resident's personal and bank information, including social security numbers.     

Reuters reported that this affects people using the state's assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families,  healthcare services availed on HealthSource RI, Rhode Island Works (RIW), Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and General Public Assistance (GPA).  

"Deloitte confirmed that there is a high probability that a cybercriminal has obtained files with personally identifiable information from RIBridges," Governor Dan McKee's office said in a statement released to the press. 

The state was informed of the breach on December 13 by its vendor, Deloitte, a multinational professional services network. The state has taken the RIBridges portal offline "to address the threat and restore the system as quickly as possible." 

Deloitte also confirmed that "there was malicious code present in the system." The governor's office said impacted households will receive a letter by mail with access to free credit monitoring services, and a dedicated call center will be set up starting December 15, which will run from 11 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday.

static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
Mail Logo
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2024 12 > Hackers hit Rhode Island, demand ransom for stolen state data
Rohith Bhaskar, 2024-12-16 (Update: 2024-12-16)