Despite Cyber Attack, Dinniman's Town Hall In Phoenixville Will Go On

PHOENIXVILLE, PA -- A cyber attack that has crippled computer access for many offices of Democratic state lawmakers will not affect the town hall meeting scheduled in Phoenixville this weekend.

Dinniman's telephone town hall meeting, which had been scheduled for Tuesday night, was postponed due to the attack. Dinniman's offices remain open.

“These types of attacks continue to be a serious threat to businesses, individuals, and government institutions. This latest attack has not only threatened the public dialogue, it has also attempted to disrupt government operations and services across the Commonwealth,” Dinniman said.

The computers of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus were attacked by Ransomware, a type of malware, according to a statement from Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa that was obtained by CNN.

The cyberattack reportedly encrypted the data on the Democrats' server, and an online payment was demanded in exchange for a key code to unlock the system, Costa said in the statement. The network includes various documents, from policy work to constituent case files, according to Costa.

Dinniman's town hall will take place in Franklin Hall of Franklin Commons, located at 400 Franklin Avenue in Phoenixville, on Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants should park at the Main/North Parking lot located on Fillmore Street.

Image via Office of State Sen. Andy Dinniman