Vicksburg, Mississippi shuts systems after reported ransomware attack

Vicksburg, Mississippi shut city computers after a reported ransomware attack, delaying utility payments while emergency services continued.

Mayor Willis Thompson said the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi, temporarily shut down internet-connected city computer systems after a ransomware incident reported on October 2, 2026. In-person utility payments may be delayed, but officials said there will be no late penalties or service cutoffs, and emergency response and utility service were reported to continue. The water and gas office serves more than 10,000 accounts in a city of more than 20,000 residents. Vicksburg is working with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, state officials, and private cybersecurity experts, and has not determined whether personal or confidential data was accessed. Sources differ on how firmly the incident is established: one report said the mayor confirmed ransomware, while another said no group had claimed the attack and it was unclear whether files were encrypted or officials were describing only a ransom demand. Attackers and any ransom amount were not identified.

• On October 2, 2026, Mayor Willis Thompson said Vicksburg, Mississippi, temporarily shut down internet-connected city computer systems after a reported ransomware incident.
• In-person utility payments may be delayed; officials said there will be no late penalties or service cutoffs while systems are offline.
• Emergency response continued, and utility service was also reported to continue.
• The water and gas office serves more than 10,000 accounts in a city of more than 20,000 residents.
• The city is working with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, state officials, and private cybersecurity experts.
• Officials have not determined whether personal or confidential data was accessed and have not identified the attackers or any ransom demand.
• Sources disagree on certainty: one said the mayor confirmed ransomware, while another said no group had claimed the attack and file encryption was not confirmed.