Queens Public Library confirms a ransomware attack that takes down its computers and Wi-Fi
November 4, 2026 (November 4, 2026)
Queens Public Library in New York City reported outages on Wednesday afternoon, November 4, and confirmed hours later that ransomware was the cause. On-site computers, check-out and return machines, Wi-Fi, digital media services and its mobile app are down. All 66 branches remain open on schedule, though some virtual and in-person programs may be affected. As of Thursday evening no ransomware group had claimed the attack, and no data exposure has been reported. The library says it is working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts.
Why it matters
Many residents rely on library computers and Wi-Fi, so the attack is felt directly by the public. Whether any data was taken is not yet known.
What defenders can take from it
- Public bodies: keep offline backups of the systems that run public services and test restoring them.
- Have a plan for staying open without computers, such as manual check-out.
- Library users: be wary of messages about the incident that ask for a login or card details, and use only the library's official channels.