Malware

Malware found on some Arizona government computers

Arizona officials are investigating how and when several computers used by state legislators and their staffs became infected with malware.

The Arizona Department of Administration said it became alarmed on Jan. 6 when some legislators and employees saw Russian-language messages appear on their computers after receiving an email requesting they change their password, according to KPHO/KTVK. The incidents took place on the state's Human Resource Information System, which is used to enter time card and direct deposit information.

Once the oddities began surfacing the system was pulled offline and not reinstated until Monday.

No data breach occurred and the state told KPHO/KTVK that the password change request was legitimate, but the Russian message may have been part of the malware that was eventually discovered.

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