The website for Pennsylvania's courts underwent a cyber-attack yesterday, resulting in a denial of service message to people who tried to gain access. As of late last night, the site seemed to be functioning.
A denial of service cyber attack occurs when malicious actors flood the targeted host or network with traffic until the target cannot respond or simply crashes, preventing access for legitimate users.
This denial of service affted the following public applications:
Attorneys and pro-se litigants were unable to file documents electonically with appellate and some common pleas courts.
The guardianship tracking system, through which guardians and courts file documents related to incapacitated persons, was itself incapacitated.
Members of the public were unable to access docket sheets to follow cases being litigated in all courts open to the public.
Online payments were unavailable.
“Our court information technology and executive team continues to work closely with law enforcement including the CISA, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the F.B.I to investigate the incident,” said Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Todd.
This comes directly on the heels of a ransomware attack on the Bucks County 911 system. Their CAD was down for over a week.
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