City of Chicago employees’ emails stolen in hack on outside law firm - Chicago Tribune
City of Chicago employees’ emails stolen in hack on outside law firm
By GREGORY PRATT
CHICAGO TRIBUNE |
MAY 07, 2021 AT 4:27 PM
A cache of city of Chicago emails were stolen during a data transfer to an outside law firm, according to a news release.
The hacked emails were sent or received by four former city employees over a two-year period, according to the release. No city computers or computer systems were compromised, the release said.
City Hall in Chicago on Nov. 23, 2020.
City Hall in Chicago on Nov. 23, 2020. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
It was unclear when the breach occurred and how many records were involved.
“The city of Chicago, the mayor’s office, and related agencies or departments will not respond to any media inquiries stemming from information obtained through illegal ransomware attacks,” the city said in a statement. “Reporting on materials compromised during a third-party vendor data transfer makes all of us less safe and encourages future bad actors to use nefarious means to gain information.”
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The records were being transferred to the Jones Day law firm, which is handling the investigation into the Anjanette Young errant police raid case. However, it was unclear whether the records or the hack was related to that probe.
City officials notified the FBI of the breach, the release said.
“While the city is not aware of any fraud that might have resulted from this event, it has taken the matter very seriously and responded accordingly,” the release said.
The city also warned that “hackers of government-related materials are known to manipulate and alter illegally obtained emails and documents,” the city said.
A hack last month resulted in data being stolen from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office in a ransomware attack.
By GREGORY PRATT
CHICAGO TRIBUNE |
MAY 07, 2021 AT 4:27 PM
A cache of city of Chicago emails were stolen during a data transfer to an outside law firm, according to a news release.
The hacked emails were sent or received by four former city employees over a two-year period, according to the release. No city computers or computer systems were compromised, the release said.
City Hall in Chicago on Nov. 23, 2020.
City Hall in Chicago on Nov. 23, 2020. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
It was unclear when the breach occurred and how many records were involved.
“The city of Chicago, the mayor’s office, and related agencies or departments will not respond to any media inquiries stemming from information obtained through illegal ransomware attacks,” the city said in a statement. “Reporting on materials compromised during a third-party vendor data transfer makes all of us less safe and encourages future bad actors to use nefarious means to gain information.”
Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons.
[Most read] Ask Amy: Loved one is heartbroken over ex’s profession »
The records were being transferred to the Jones Day law firm, which is handling the investigation into the Anjanette Young errant police raid case. However, it was unclear whether the records or the hack was related to that probe.
City officials notified the FBI of the breach, the release said.
“While the city is not aware of any fraud that might have resulted from this event, it has taken the matter very seriously and responded accordingly,” the release said.
The city also warned that “hackers of government-related materials are known to manipulate and alter illegally obtained emails and documents,” the city said.
A hack last month resulted in data being stolen from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office in a ransomware attack.
