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Columbus residents react to cyberattack, city council's response: ‘You think you are protected'

10TV spoke to two Columbus residents who were directly impacted by the cyberattack.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Monday night, Columbus City Council held its first meeting acknowledging the citywide cyberattack.

The council announced it will be holding public hearings and weekly updates from the Department of Technology about the hack.

10TV's Tara Jabour caught up with Mary B. Roletto who has lived in Columbus for more than 30 years. Three weeks ago, we told you our cybersecurity expert found her information on the dark web.

“I did go to all of the all credit bureaus and checked my credit when it happened and checked my status,” said Roletto.

Roletto said the hack has made her more attentive to her bank and credit card statements.

“You think you are protected, everything is good and you don't have to make the efforts. But, today’s world is a different world technology-wise,” she said.

Roletto said she plans on attending public meetings hosted by the city about the hack. She trusts that the city council will do the right thing.

“Under the leadership of council president Shannon Hardin, I feel confident that those individuals who not only conducted cyberattack, but those who let it happen, will be held accountable,” said Roletto.

RELATED: Full timeline shows how Columbus cyberattack played out

Joe Motil, former mayoral candidate, found his information on the dark web shortly after the hack. He said he was shocked to see that his personal information was on the dark web.

“I was surprised. I was like, if that was the case how did my social security number get on there?” said Motil.

Motil wants City Hall to stop scanning IDs.

“This is the easiest thing to remedy. Let’s not scan driver’s licenses anymore. You don't need ID for municipal court, federal court, you don't need ID for the statehouse,” said Motil

He wants the city to share what information exactly is on the dark web so that people can better prepare themselves. The city is offering free credit monitoring through Experian for those who are affected.

“You are impacting people's livelihoods, not just financially, but the safety and security of people as well,” said Motil. “They always tell us to be aware of our surroundings, but be aware of what info is out there on the internet,” said Roletto.

The city said around 13,000 people have signed up for the free credit monitoring so far.

RELATED: Experts argue older information leaked in Columbus data breach should have been taken offline, moved

We reached out to a representative for Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther for a response.

The representative responded with the following statement:

"As Mayor Ginther has said, this is an active criminal investigation that involves the FBI, Department of Technology and a team of cyber experts who are working around the clock to fully restore city functions, shore up our IT infrastructure against future threats and protect our residents. Mayor Ginther is committed to communicating as transparently as possible amid this ongoing investigation and, as he previously announced and as was reiterated at last night's council meeting, the most effective thing residents and non-residents can do to protect themselves is to sign up for Experian credit protection by going to www.columbus.gov/cyber. The Mayor looks forward to continuing his work with City Council to ensure our City is doing everything possible to protect our residents."

You can find more coverage and the full timeline of the cyberattack on the City of Columbus here.

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