More than two weeks after the computers of the Butler County Federated Library System were targeted by ransomware, library patrons are still unable to use computers at the 10 libraries in the system. And the libraries cannot offer WiFi to its patrons.

“We are still without access and are working to get things up and running,” said Lori Hinderliter, executive director of the Butler Area Public Library, 218 N. McKean St. “We have no public computers, no computers at all and we are checking materials the old-fashioned way.”

Cheryl Ferraro, system administrator of the federated system, said, “We are in the process of determining how we are going to restore or replace equipment.”

“We don't have an exact date to have everything back to normal,” Ferraro said. “We're moving toward getting everything back to operational.”

The July 17 Ryuk ransomware attack on all Butler County libraries requires new network configurations for security purposes, the federated system's website says.

Ransomware is a name for a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid.

A warning on the Butler library's webpage warned that individuals who connected to the WiFi or used a public computer at any county library should scan their device for malware as a precaution.

Patrons who used the internet during that time are advised to change their passwords for any personal sites they visited, such as shopping or banking, and to install up-to-date virus and malware protection to protect against the latest threats.

Jill Hambley, library director at the Prospect Community Library, 357 N. Main St., Prospect, said that while public computers and WiFi were unavailable, the library had not canceled its programming or cut back its hours.

Caitlyn Boland, library director at the Mars Area Public Library, 107 Grand Ave., Mars, said that while computers were not available, “Patrons can still fax and make photocopies. Everything will continue on schedule.”