Bitcoin-mining 'worm' caused MPS computer lock down

Montgomery Public Schools' computer system was shut down this week in order to restrict a "bitcoin-mining worm" from burrowing further into the system, according to a release from MPS. 

Bitcoin is a digital cryptocurrency earned by using computers to solve math problems in lists of transactions called blockchains. A single bitcoin is currently worth $10,500. Montgomery County's computer system was hacked in September and the county said it was forced to pay the hackers nine bitcoins, then worth only $3,751 each.

More computers working to fill blocks in the blockchain means more bitcoins can be mined at once, hence a rise in bitcoin worms being used to take advantage of large computer systems. Essentially, computer processing power is siphoned off by a hacker and converted into cash.

More:MPS: Computers locked down, paychecks system unaffected

MPS Communication Assistant Scott Johnson said the worm accessed a particularly vulnerable, older Microsoft Exchange server in the MPS data center on Nov. 25. Johnson did not know how many servers the worm infiltrated subsequently, but the MPS IT team shut down affected servers to isolate the malware.

The lock down earlier this week meant no teachers, principals or central office staff could use computers, but as of Dec. 1, Johnson said almost all systems are operational again.

"Everything is up and running except for some minor features they're still working on. For instance, the website, they're working out kinks there. It's pretty much minor stuff from here," Johnson said.

The IT staff also took advantage of the repairs to migrate the system to Google's G Suite for Education Services, the MPS release said, adding that no MPS data was at risk.

The paychecks system was also unaffected by the cyber attack.