Wisconsin

Wisconsin auto dealerships revert to paper and pen during ransomware attack

Published

2 years ago

June 25, 2024

Wisconsin auto dealerships revert to paper and pen during ransomware attack

Ransomware attack against auto dealers software vendor could cost some dealerships sales.

Nearly 160 Wisconsin auto dealerships still face disruptions from the ransomware attack against software provider CDK Global which handles much of their paperwork.

Nationwide, around 15,000 dealers have been affected by the attack that’s believed to have originated in Eastern Europe. CDK, one of the largest providers of cloud-based software to dealers, helps them manage vehicle acquisitions, sales, financing, parts ordering and scheduling vehicle service.

A group that claims they hacked the suburban Chicago company has demanded tens of millions of dollars in ransom, Bloomberg Business News reported, citing a person familiar with the situation. CDK intended to pay the ransom, but discussions were subject to change, according to Bloomberg.

CDK shut down most of its systems “out of an abundance of caution” for dealerships, said spokesperson Lisa Finney.

In Wisconsin, 159 auto dealers have been affected by the CDK hack and shutdown, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The shutdown has caused some of them to revert to old-fashioned paper sales forms and completing documents by hand.

“Ultimately, they’ll still have to input all that information to CDK once they’re back and running, so that all the accounting gets squared away,” said Jim Tolkan, president of the Automobile Dealers Association of Metro Milwaukee.

“They can still do business,” Tolkan said, provided that dealers can obtain the paper forms.

The attack against CDK began last Wednesday. Despite attempts to restore services, another attack that evening caused further disruptions. It’s still unknown when services will return to normal.

On its website, CDK says it provides a “three-tiered cybersecurity strategy to prevent, protect and respond to cyberattacks.”

June is one of the stronger months for vehicle sales. If there are delays handling paperwork, the CDK outage could cost some dealerships sales, or at the least, a paperwork headache.

Wisconsin’s Department of Motor Vehicles says it’s provided an alternative for dealers to continue processing title applications and issuing temporary plates.

“The customer impact is minimal. In situations where the dealer would normally provide a permanent plate at the time of sale, they may now only provide a temporary plate. The plate/registration will be mailed directly to the customer from DMV,” the agency said Monday in a statement to the Journal Sentinel.

The cybercriminals behind the attack are linked to a group called BlackSuit, according to Bloomberg.

In May, a cyberattack against Ascension hospitals and clinics in Wisconsin and across the country reportedly involved a type of ransomware called Black Basta, according to CNN, which cited four anonymous sources.

Black Basta is a type of ransomware used to encrypt victims’ computers, rendering them unusable. Hackers can then extort victims by demanding money in return for access to the computer systems.

USA Today contributed to this report.

Source link

Click to comment

Wisconsin

Sister Bay, Wisconsin: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Published

30 minutes ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Sister Bay, Wisconsin: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Located in scenic Door County, Wisconsin, the town of Sister Bay is a waterfront town directly on Green Bay. Outdoor enthusiasts head to Sister Bay for its access to hiking trails, nature preserves, and water pursuits such as boating, fishing, and ice-skating during winter. The town hosts a number of seasonal festivals including a film fest, marina fest, outdoor concert series, and the Door County Festival of Fine Arts. The annual Roofing of the Goats Parade is a popular event tied to Al Johnson’s, a local restaurant known for goats that graze on its rooftop during summer months.

Source link

Wisconsin

Vote: Who is Wisconsin High School Boys Basketball’s Top Guard of 2025-26?

Published

13 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vote: Who is Wisconsin High School Boys Basketball’s Top Guard of 2025-26?

With the action-packed Wisconsin high school boys basketball regular season completed and March Madness beginning, it’s time to take a look at some of the outstanding players and cast your vote for the best.

We began by looking at the most prolific individual scoring threats, talented 3-point shooters,strong rebounders, and top free-throw shooters so now it’s time to take a look at the high-caliber guards from throughout the state.

There are hundreds of high-caliber boys basketball players in Wisconsin, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

Voting remains open until March 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

(Players are listed in alphabetical order and all nominees are leaders from the 2025-26 season as compiled by Bound.com, and WIAA; the poll is below the list of athletes)

Castillo is averaging 25.4 points per game with 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals for Greendale (18-6 overall record).

Collien is averaging 15 points per game with 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists for Oakfield (21-3 overall record).

Edwards is averaging 14.1 points per game with 7.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists for D.C. Everest (21-3 overall record).

Gray Jr. was averaging 24.3 points per game with 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals prior for West Allis Central (22-2 overall record).

Hereford is averaging 36.4 points per game with 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 4.1 steals for Beloit Memorial (22-2 overall record).

Johnson is averaging 27.3 points per game with 8.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 steals for Milwaukee Juneau (22-1 overall record).

Jones is averaging 23.3 points per game with 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals for Germantown (15-9 overall record).

Kern is averaging 16 points per game with 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists for New Berlin West (21-3 overall record).

Kilgore is averaging 14.6 points per game with 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 steals for Kewaunee (24-0 overall record).

Kohnen is averaging 16.3 points per game with 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals for Slinger (20-4 overall record).

Knueppel is averaging 17.4 points per game with 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.4 steals for Wisconsin Lutheran (24-0 overall record).

Loose is averaging 18.2 points per game with 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals for Port Washington (23-1 overall).

Manchester is averaging 35.8 points per game for Mount Horeb (19-5 overall record).

Platz is averaging 19.5 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals for Brookfield East (19-5 overall record).

Prochnow is averaging 21.3 points per game with 11.1 assists, 4.8 assists, and 3.2 steals for Reedsville (21-3 overall record).

Resch is averaging 21.3 points per game with 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals for Arrowhead (18-6 overall record).

Schultz is averaging 27.4 points per game with 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals for Plymouth (17-7 overall record).

Schwalbach is averaging 15 points per game with 4.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals for Kaukauna (21-3 overall).

Sweeney is averaging 15.5 points per game for Appleton North (20-4 overall record).

Vandenberg is averaging 13 points per game with 2.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds for Freedom (23-1 overall).

About Our Player Poll Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.

— Jeff Hagenau | jeffreyhagenau@gmail.com

Source link