Hackers have managed to infect and take over more than 2,000 computers used to operate San Francisco’s public transport system, forcing the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) to open the gates and allow passengers to ride for nothing. Every computer was left displaying a black screen with a ransom note written across it stating: “You Hacked, ALL Data Encrypted. It typically starts when someone opens an infected email attachment or downloaded file, spreading through any computer networks. The SFMTA is not the first public sector institution or company to be hit by ransomware. In 2013 the Cryptolocker ransomware infected an estimated 234,000 computers, including at least 50,000 in the UK, and required a global police operation to neutralise it.

Source: The Guardian November 28, 2016 10:18 UTC