Lee Enterprises Confirms Ransomware Attack Disrupting Newspaper Operations

The publishing giant reports encrypted systems, stolen data, and ongoing outages affecting print and digital services across its extensive network.

Lee Enterprises has confirmed that a ransomware attack caused widespread disruptions to its operations, impacting print and digital newspaper services for over two weeks.
The attack, first disclosed on February 7, involved threat actors encrypting critical systems and exfiltrating certain files, with investigations ongoing to determine if sensitive data was compromised.
The disruptions affected key business functions, including billing, collections, vendor payments, and the distribution of print and online publications, with delays reported across multiple outlets.
Temporary measures, such as manual transaction processing and alternative distribution channels, have been implemented as the company works toward a phased recovery expected to take several weeks.
Lee Enterprises, which publishes over 70 daily newspapers and 350 weekly and specialty publications, has warned that the incident is likely to have a material impact on its financial performance.