(Toronto) The transit agency that operates bus, subway, streetcar and paratransit services in the Toronto area has been the victim of a ransomware attack.
The Toronto Transit Commission, known as TTC, said the hacker attack on its computer systems began Thursday evening and spread on Friday.
Stuart Green, a spokesperson for the TTC, said the attack did not cause any significant disruption to transit service and that the public and employees were not at risk.
Ransomware is a form of malware that attacks where a company’s data is encrypted, thereby blocking the user.
Stuart Green explained that transit vehicles continue to serve their routes, but applications and computer screens with route information are affected.
He clarified that there was no estimated time for the restoration of the services that were affected.
“The full extent of the attack is under review and the TTC is working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts on the issue,” he said in a statement.
The City of Toronto Computer Services Department was also consulted.
The TTC provides transit service to up to 1.7 million people per weekday in Toronto and surrounding municipalities.