Talking with Mackay’s first business ransomware victim
I had a unique opportunity recently to talk with a person who used to own and operate a business which is believed to have been the first business in Mackay to fall victim to the ransomware virus! The business was operated from Alfred Street in Mackay at that time.
As luck would have it – I was fortunate to speak to the local IT business which responded to the incident as well. Following the Alfred Street ransomware incident, two further prominent Mackay organisations quickly fell victim – as did several large businesses elsewhere in the state.
The impact of ransomware on the local business then, as it can still be now – was devastating! It is a essentially a virus which, once introduced, encrypts data and files – seeking payment from you to remove the encryption. If not prepared – you could lose it all.
Ransomware is one of many types of scams/cyber-crimes which impact residents and businesses in the Mackay police district. One of our most frequently requested community presentations is in fact the 20 scams in 20 minutes talk – we have come up with a unique way to share the same information from this talk with you.
Watch this space 
This image shows the screen shot from the first experience a Mackay business ever had with ransomware
Source: Mackay Crime Alert
