Community Newspaper Faces Ransomware Challenge Before Christmas

Just before the festive season, our cherished community newspaper, The Retrospect, faced an unexpected hurdle. A ransomware attack on December 19 targeted Evergreen Printing in Bellmawr, NJ, disrupting systems central to printing and mailing operations. The timing could hardly be worse, with deadlines tight for the Christmas edition. Publisher Brett Ainsworth learned of the breach on December 22, raising concerns about the missing mailing database as preparations for an early print were underway.

Ainsworth’s initial worries have receded somewhat, thanks to the diligence of his team. Remarkably, they have restored over 90% of subscriber information, ensuring this week’s issue reaches the hands of readers. Despite anticipating minor discrepancies, the effort to match last week’s mail count has been commendable.

Maintaining Connections Amidst Crisis

In addition to print copies, The Retrospect’s digital circulation has been a saving grace, ensuring that many subscribers continue receiving their news despite the setback. An older subscription list from August, wisely saved by Ainsworth, is now instrumental in verifying current details.

Evergreen Printing has activated their incident response plan, collaborating with experts to manage the situation, and so far, they report no sensitive data, like credit card numbers, has been compromised. For subscribers facing delivery issues or needing updates, Ainsworth has provided direct contact through his wife, Susan, offering a personal touch during this challenging period.

As no ransom details or information about the attackers have emerged, Ainsworth’s determination to maintain service is evident, humorously likening the disruption to a tale of holiday mischief. The community’s continued support will certainly aid The Retrospect as it overcomes this temporary trial.

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