Spokane station victim of massive cyberattack

Just a month after WTVG in Toledo’s computer systems became victim to a computer virus, KHQ found itself crippled by a cyberattack.

• The attack, which was very sophisticated, left anchors reading off paper scripts and limiting on air visuals.
• KHQ brands on air as “Q6.”
• The station said no personal employee or advertise data was exposed as a result of the attack.
• Station officials, who have been working with the FBI, would not say if this was a “ransomware” attacked where money is demanded in exchange for a return to full system functionality.
• Meanwhile, the station is working to restore the system from backups.
• Newscasts have continued to air, but with less on screen graphics and video clips.
• Reporters at the station also used social media to post news updates.
• Meanwhile, the station reportedly resorting to moving video around in Zip disks and writing and printing scripts using Microsoft Word.