A ransomware attack on the CodeRED emergency alert system caused a nationwide outage and exposed personal data for millions of users, putting many communities at risk just as they rely on the service for urgent public warnings. The attackers stole customer information, including email addresses and passwords, which raised concerns about account security for anyone who reused those credentials elsewhere. In response, the company behind CodeRED shut down the affected system and began rebuilding it, leaving some municipalities without a reliable way to send alerts during the transition. Local governments have been scrambling to find temporary alternatives while urging residents to stay alert through other communication channels. Users have been advised to change their passwords immediately and strengthen their account security.
