Lots of places to find the details, but this one will do: Computer Virus Hits Houston Municipal Courts.
Are we surprised? Not if we know anything at all about computers. And governments. Consider how bureaucracies attract, and hold, the least competent folks. Sure, some are really competent servants of the public, but it’s become so rare as to be remarkable when you find one. So you have this series of offices populated by folks who would tend to have some of the worst behavior regarding computer security, for all the same reasons you might expect.
Next, we have thousands upon thousands of Windows computers in these offices, used by these bureaucrats. Further, they were installed by some folks who seemed to have their own problems with competence. So the world’s mosts vulnerable computer OS, installed by some questionable technicians for some bureaucrats. But it gets worse.
These bureaucrats are in the courts and police system. They have a well-deserved reputation for being among the most oppressive goons to ever stain the term “justice system.” People dropped in cells for truly minor offenses are stuck there, and people on the hook for paying tickets and such can’t beat the time window. If I understand correctly, you still take the fall if you don’t pay on time, even though it’s technically their fault.
Are we surprised? No. At times like this I am sooooooo glad I don’t live anywhere near Houston.
