The Chamber of Commerce of Bennington Loses Data due to Computer Virus

Washingtontimes.com reported on 25th March, 2014 stating that the Chamber of Commerce in Bennington, Vermont, US has lost maximum of its files due to a computer virus which hit it in February 2014.

The Chamber, on behalf of its members, especially promotes leads and advocates a unified effort to maintain and improve a healthy business climate rewarding quality life.

A note flashed on the computers of the Chamber last month (February 2014) which demanded a ransom of $400 otherwise the files of the computers would be locked.

Washingtontimes.com published news on 25th March, 2014 quoting the Director of the Chamber Joann Erenhouse as saying "the Chamber was on the verge of paying when a power breakdown caused the loss of contact with ransom demanders."

She said that only financial records remained and a new computer system was required.

The virus is known as CryptoLocker encrypting the hard drive of users which effectively put their photos, documents and other data under lock and key and will not open till users pay a ransom within a certain time.

Reformer.com published a statement on 25th March, 2014 quoting Max Squires who works with Brenda Jones Real Estate Group and is associated with the Chamber for web-design and IT-services as saying that the virus seeked payment in Bitcoins, a digital currency or via Money-Pal. They provide you these two choices as they become untraceable."

The Chamber had no option but to replace all its machines, servers and backup HDs (hard drives) at a cost of around $5,000 which does not include extra hours of work and time lost in the whole process.

The member lists, folders containing images used for newsletters and brochures making, grants records it has filed and details of vendors participating in the Bennington Car Show other important events were all lost by the Chamber in the attack.

Erenhouse said that it's something like starting a brand new Chamber of Commerce.

She said that the Chamber was not closed during the replacement period when its machines were down but things were taking hours instead of minutes.

Wptz.com published a concluding statement on 25th March, 2014 quoting Erenhouse as "the Chamber now has better backup systems."

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