Texas’ transportation agency has become the second part of the state government to be hit by a ransomware attack in recent days.
On Thursday, someone hacked into the Texas Department of Transportation’s network in a “ransomware event,” according to a statement the department posted on social media Friday.
The departments’ website says some features are unavailable due to technical difficulties, but it is not clear what functions were affected by the attack. Agency officials did not respond to emailed questions Sunday.
The hack comes days after another ransomware attack took down the websites and case management systems of Texas’ appellate and high courts. The courts and transportation agency both said they are working with the FBI to investigate.
Hackers use ransomware to invade computer systems and encrypt files in an effort to extort payments to unlock them.
Upon detecting the hack, staff at the transportation department “immediately” isolated the affected parts of the network and “shut down further unauthorized access,” according to the statement. James Bass, the department’s executive director, said his staff is “working to ensure critical operations continue during this interruption.″ The hacks follow a ransomware attack of unprecedented size that hit more than 20 local governments in Texas last summer.
Related: ATM Maker Diebold Nixdorf Hit by Ransomware
Related: Railway Vehicle Maker Stadler Hit by Malware Attack
Related: Ransomware Is Mostly Deployed After Hours: Report
Related: Human-Operated Ransomware Is a Growing Threat to Businesses: Microsoft

More from Associated Press
- Insider Q&A: Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity In Military Tech
- Idaho Hospitals Working to Resume Full Operations After Cyberattack
- Major Massachusetts Health Insurer Hit by Ransomware Attack, Member Data May Be Compromised
- Biden Picks New NSA Head, Key to Support of Ukraine, Defense of US Elections
- White House Unveils New Efforts to Guide Federal Research of AI
- Meta Fined Record $1.3 Billion and Ordered to Stop Sending European User Data to US
- China Tells Tech Manufacturers to Stop Using Micron Chips, Stepping Up Feud With United States
- ChatGPT’s Chief Testifies Before Congress, Calls for New Agency to Regulate Artificial Intelligence
Latest News
- KeePass Update Patches Vulnerability Exposing Master Password
- AntChain, Intel Create New Privacy-Preserving Computing Platform for AI Training
- Keep Aware Raises $2.4M to Eliminate Browser Blind Spots
- Google Workspace Gets Passkey Authentication
- Cybersecurity Startup Elba Raises €2.5 Million for Employee-Focused Product
- Zoom Expands Privacy Options for European Customers
- Several Major Organizations Confirm Being Impacted by MOVEit Attack
- Apple Unveils Upcoming Privacy and Security Features
