Anonymous hackers have attacked one of Australia’s major jails and demand to be paid a “ransom” to end cyberattacks.
After its computer systems were compromised, Melbourne’s west-side Port Phillip Prison was forced to halt prisoner visits.
It is believed that the hackers have taken over the online network of the Truganina jail and are requesting ransom money to restore it.
While police look into the cyber attack, visits to the prison’s 1,000 inmates—both in person and via video—have been temporarily halted.
According to the Herald Sun, the security breach has been reported to Victoria Police and the State Government’s Cyber Incident Response Team.
To safeguard the security of prison personnel and inmates, management has increased security measures in reaction to the attack.
While it is still possible to make calls that are absolutely necessary, only authorised specialists, such as social workers or lawyers, have access to the phones.
Prisoners and employees were unaffected, according to a spokeswoman for G4S, the prison’s operator, who acknowledged that the problem involving cyber security was affecting Port Phillip.
Port Phillip is having “network problems,” according to Victoria’s Corrections, Prison & Parole department, which is limiting interactions with inmates.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, “We are prioritising critical welfare concerns.”
The jail operator is attempting to address these problems as soon as feasible.