Abilene City Refuses Ransom After Russian Cyberattack Steals 477GB Data

The City of Abilene, Texas, experienced a ransomware cyberattack on April 18, attributed to the Russian group Qilin, which claims to have stolen 477 gigabytes of sensitive data and demanded a ransom by May 27. Despite threats to publicly release the stolen information, including tax documents and government files, Abilene officials have firmly decided not to pay the ransom, adhering to expert cybersecurity advice and the city's organizational values. The attack disrupted several city departments and payment systems, causing frustration among residents, some of whom reported issues like suspicious calls and maxed-out credit cards. Essential city services such as emergency response, water, and solid waste continued to operate throughout the incident. Federal authorities are investigating the breach, and while the city remains limited in the details it can release, it has apologized for the inconvenience and is working diligently to restore full functionality. Community opinions vary, with some supporting the no-payment stance to deter future attacks, while others express concern over the potential financial impacts on local businesses and residents.