Breaches and incidents
U.S.NEXT (Jackson, Mississippi web host): attack takes down nearly 70 government websites, including Madison County and West Point
WLBT: “Madison County’s website is down after a cyber-attack on the host company,” U.S.
- Disclosed
- Verification
- Confirmed by two or more outlets
What happened
- WLBT: “Madison County’s website is down after a cyber-attack on the host company,” U.S. Next, on 9 Oct, cutting access to Board of Supervisors materials, land rolls and Justice Court fine payments. WLOX (from WTVA, 14 Oct): “Nearly 70 government websites were impacted following an attack on their website provider, U.S.NEXT”; West Point residents saw errors paying water and electric bills online.
- Root cause: not disclosed.
- No attacker named.
- Madison County Administrator Greg Higginbotham said the site held no personal information “so it can’t be compromised”; some county services (land records, ticket payments) were restored within hours via a temporary page. West Point offered in-person and alternate payment links; full restoration not reported as of 14 Oct.