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Winona County paid more than $128K following January ransomware attack

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ransomware

Winona County paid more than $128K following January ransomware attack

Winona County in Minnesota paid $128,539.57 in ransom after a ransomware attack detected on January 22, 2026. The county negotiated the payment with support from its insurance carrier.

Why it matters: County government officials and IT teams should review their ransomware response protocols and insurance coverage thresholds, as even negotiated payments for local infrastructure can reach six figures.

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