Ransomware attach closes Richmond Community Schools

A ransomware virus infected servers at Richmond Community Schools over the holiday break resulting in classes being canceled Thursday and Friday, according to a statement on the district’s website. Ransomware is designed to block access to a computer system unless a ransom is paid, according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency under the Department of Homeland Security. The statement said no student or staff information had been compromised. According to t he statement, school personnel are working on the problem, but it is a lengthy process. Police officials say the department is aware of the situation, but it had not been formally reported to them by the school as a crime.