A hacker targeted B.C. libraries, demanding a ransom to prevent the release of user data containing phone numbers and email addresses of some clients.
The Cariboo Regional District’s library was impacted, with data accessed for users who received automated notifications between March 27 and April 19.
The breach was discovered by the BC Libraries Cooperative, which manages library systems for multiple institutions, alerting several affected networks.
The cooperative received a ransom demand from the hacker on April 19, threatening to expose the data if payment was not made.
This incident adds to a string of cybersecurity attacks, including the recent closure of London Drugs stores due to a breach and a previous attack on the Toronto Public Library.
The BC Libraries Cooperative confirmed that only “minimal data” from its email server was compromised.
Related Stories
The BC Libraries Cooperative expressed regret over the breach, despite the limited data compromised.
The Cariboo Regional District reached out to library users indirectly through a notice on its website since the cooperative couldn’t provide a list of affected emails.
The breach will also be reported to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
