Ransomware Attack in Michigan Cripples Wayne County Government Services
On October 2, 2024, a ransomware attack struck Wayne County, Michigan, causing widespread disruption across several government departments. The hacker, whose identity remains unknown, demanded a financial ransom in exchange for restoring access to the compromised systems. The cyberattack disabled the county’s online services, including tax payments and jail inmate bonding. Defense attorneys were also unable to schedule visits with clients, and the Wayne County Register of Deeds Office shut down early, preventing residents from recording real estate sales or obtaining property records. The attack's full scope is still being assessed, and the county’s IT team is working with the FBI and Michigan State Police to investigate the breach.
The ongoing investigation has yet to determine the source of the attack or the total impact on other departments, including the prosecutor’s and clerk’s offices, whose websites were inaccessible throughout the day. Despite these issues, the Third Circuit Court remained operational, with no disruptions reported. Wayne County officials continue to monitor the situation and work toward restoring services. This cyberattack highlights vulnerabilities in local government infrastructures and raises concerns about the increasing frequency of ransomware incidents targeting essential public services.