The Onslow Water and Sewer Authority 's internal computer system , including servers and personal computers , was hit by a ransomware attack Attack.Ransom Saturday . The utility said customer information was not compromised Attack.Databreach in the attack Attack.Databreach , but many of databases will have to be recreated in their entirety . OWNASA said it is coordinating with the FBI , the Department of Homeland Security , the state of North Carolina , and several technology security companies in response to the attack . The safety of the public ’ s water supply and the area ’ s environment are not in danger , the utility said . ONWASA began experiencing persistent virus attacks from a polymorphic malware known as EMOTET on October 4 . The virus was thought to be under control , but when it persisted ONWASA brought in outside security specialists . The specialist continued to work the problem with ONWASA Information Technology ( IT ) staff . At what ONWASA officials said may have been a timed event , the malware launched a sophisticated virus known as RYUK at 3 a.m. on Saturday . An ONWASA IT staffer saw the attack and immediately disconnected ONWASA from the internet . However , the crypto-virus spread quickly along the network , encrypting databases and files . The attack is similar in nature to those experienced by Atlanta , Georgia and Mecklenburg County . lONWASA said it had mulitple layers of computer protection in place , including firewalls and malware/anti-virus software . The defenses of the computer systems at the main office were penetrated . ONWASA has received one email from the cybercriminals , who it said may be based in a foreign country . The email is consistent with ransomware attacks Attack.Ransom of other governments and corporations . OWNASA officials said ransom monies “ would be used to fund criminal , and perhaps terrorist activities in other countries . Furthermore , there is no expectation that payment of a ransom Attack.Ransom would forestall repeat attacks . ONWASA will not negotiate with criminals nor bow to their demands . The FBI agrees that ransoms should not be paid Attack.Ransom . ONWASA will undertake the painstaking process of rebuilding its databases and computer systems from the ground up. ” The lack of computing ability will affect the timeliness of service from ONWASA for several weeks to come . Initially , the utility will operate manually at all plant and office locations . Water and wastewater service to homes and businesses will not be interrupted , the utility said . Customers may continue to make credit card payments by phone , at ONWASA 's kiosk locations ( by check , cash , or credit card ) , and in person at the main office at 228 Georgetown Road , Jacksonville . Satellite Offices in Holly Ridge , Swansboro , and Richlands have the capability of processing credit card payments by phone and very limited other services . Service orders , account creation , connections , disconnections , development review , backflow program , engineering , and human resources will utilize manual processes until the computer systems are restored . While phone service remains , email service has been interrupted for most of the utility . ONWASA said a team of local , state , and federal agencies are cooperating to restore the utility and bring the criminals to justice .