Queens Public Library says ransomware attack disrupted Wi-Fi, on-site computers

The Queens Public Library suffered a ransomware attack that encrypted systems and disrupted critical services — including Wi-Fi, check-out machines, and its mobile app — across all 66 branches simultaneously. This scale of disruption suggests a lack of network segmentation, allowing the ransomware to propagate freely across the entire library network. The incident also highlights inadequate backup and recovery preparedness, as encrypted systems rendered operational services unavailable rather than being rapidly restored. Public institutions holding community data and providing essential services are high-value targets precisely because downtime pressure can incentivize ransom payment. This matters because ransomware attacks on public infrastructure erode community trust and can expose sensitive patron data.