OOOPS.  It lookes like even the FBI wasn't able to unlock this one!

 

"DICKSON, Tenn. (AP) -- The Dickson County Sheriff's Office in Middle Tennessee ended up paying a ransom after a malicious computer program blocked access to their files.

 

After consulting with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the FBI, McCliss said the agency determined the only way to get their files back was to pay the asking price: $500 in bitcoins."

 

Full Article

 

I wonder if the Sherriff called his own office to report the problem?  :) 

 

Seriously though, this is a sad example of just how unprepared all too many people and offices really are when it comes to Ransomware, and a serious lack of computer security.  I think that they need to consider re-evalutating their IT positioning.