Michigan casino chain forced to shut down after ransomware attack
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Several Michigan casinos remain shut down and a tribe is dealing with halted community services after a hack was discovered early this week.
says that a data security incident was discovered on Sunday, forcing them to shut down all gaming operations. As of Wednesday morning, the casinos are still dark.
'We immediately enlisted the help of third-party experts to determine how this incident was caused and to restore our gaming operations as quickly as possible,' Kewadin officials .
'We understand this is inconvenient and unexpected news. Please know our experts are working around-the-clock to restore gaming operations. We apologize for this inconvenience. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.'
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Austin Lowes, Chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, told News 8 affiliate that the tribe was hit with a ransomware attack.
'This attack impacted multiple computer and phone systems across tribal administration, including the casinos, health centers and various businesses,' Lowes said. 'The tribal government will remain open in a limited capacity to serve our members to the best of our ability despite this incident.'
is a type of malicious hardware that locks users out of computer files, systems or networks and 'demands a ransom' to get it back. The FBI says there are several ways to unknowingly download ransomware onto a computer — anything from opening an email attachment, a pop-up ad or even visiting a website that has embedded malware.
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Lowes said he cannot say for sure when the tribe will be able to reopen the casinos.
'Our hope is that the issue gets resolved within a week, but we are prepared for it to last longer,' he told WLUC-TV.
Kewadin Casinos has five locations across Michigan's Upper Peninsula: Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Manistique, Christmas and Hessel.
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