Experts: Ransomware Attack Should Have Been Anticipated Leaders within the Buffalo, N.Y., Public Schools were taken by surprise by the ransomware attack that afflicted the district's network on Friday, but security experts say they shouldn't have been. by Sandra Tan, The Buffalo News / March 15, 2021 Buffalo, NY. Shutterstock (TNS) — Buffalo Public Schools leaders were taken by surprise by the ransomware attack on the district's network Friday. But they shouldn't have been. Cybercriminals are particularly fond of targeting government agencies and school districts, which are generally less likely to devote the financial resources necessary to guard against attacks, according to cybersecurity experts.