LYNN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Just weeks after a computer virus wiped out internet access at Lynn schools, another virus has crippled the city's online parking ticket payment system.
The ransomware, known as the "Herpes 1.2 virus," originated in India and targeted am out-of-state company that handles the payments for the city.
Lynn Acting Parking Director Robert Stilian told WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas his staff has been forced to handle payments in person using paper records over the past three weeks.
"Our main concern is to get the people in and out of here as quick as possible," he said. "Unfortunately, there's a pecking order, per se. You come in, we have to research that, then the next person, then the next person. So, there's a queue."
Despite the longer wait, Stilian said he's proud of his employees' hard work—and he himself is working on his birthday.
"Our people have been working relentlessly," he said.
Stilian said no driver information was taken, and that city computers are safe. The FBI is involved in the ransomware case.
The city hopes to have online payments back up and running by the beginning of next week.
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WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports