City of Tulsa officials say the city's websites could be back up by the end of the week.
The sites were shut down last Wednesday after officials learned information on one of the city’s computer servers, which hosts the City of Tulsa website, was targeted by an unknown source.
Technology officers with the City have taken the websites temporarily offline while they work to identify the extent and nature of the incident.
City officials have confirmed no City of Tulsa water or refuse utility customer information was ever accessed. We can assure our customers no financial information associated with their accounts was involved. The server in question does not house that information.
There is no indication the city’s trusted network was accessed. The information accessed was outside of the City of Tulsa’s trusted network. City email systems were not compromised.
Ginger Cook, a retired teacher, used to check the city of Tulsa's website for road construction. She’s not a fan of it especially along I-244."It's been bad because I've been caught on that I-244 around Sheridan. Where they're doing that construction and I didn't check."She was stuck for 45 minutes. But with the website down, it’s been frustrating and fearful for residents. "I'd be real upset, “Dianne Croy."The fear would be someone getting my information and identity theft or selling personal information to corporations that want to send me a bunch junk mail," said Suzanne McCoy.Even though someone broke through the security barriers no city information has been compromised.
FOX23 spoke with a computer security specialist who says most times it's teens breaking through the security barriers but people like Cook don't want to take any chances."With all the terrorist stuff going on around you think, was that someone just playing around?" she asked.The city says it is putting preventative measures in place before restoring the web site. City officials have confirmed no City of Tulsa water or refuse utility customer information was ever accessed. We can assure our customers no financial information associated with their accounts was involved. The server in question does not house that information.
Customers who need to pay a bill or fine today in order to avoid late fees, should call the Customer Care Center at 918-596-9511 or visit City Hall cashiers, 175 E. 2nd Street.
A list of helpful numbers has been posted on a splash page at
www.cityoftulsa.org so customers will know who to call to do business, for information or assistance.
The attempted attack on the server is still under review and there is no additional information available at this time about the incident.
IT is taking extra care to put preventative measures in place before restoring access to the full website.
