Salford City Council’s housing register remains suspended weeks after a cyber attack.
A ‘cyber breach’ on August 2 left 5,200 on the housing register without access to the Salford Home Search service.
The attack also hit housing registers in Manchester and Bolton, affecting thousands of people across the Greater Manchester region.
Users were warned that they may be targeted by phishing scams, and told to monitor their bank accounts for suspicious activity.
They were also told to change any passwords that are the same as the one used to access Salford Home Search.
Salford City Council apologised after the incident, which it said came from a “vulnerability in the third party software suppliers website.”
Salford Home Search users told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they have not been able to access the system since the attack took place.
A 45-year-old named Pre, who did not want his surname published, said he is living in temporary accommodation and looking for a permanent home on Salford Home Search after previously being on the streets.
He added: “It’s the only way we can get a home at the moment, I have to go through Salford Home Search.
“But I’m not able to access it and there’s been no alternative.”
Salford council said the problem has been addressed, and that the housing register will be back up and running soon.
A council spokesperson said: “The software behind Salford Home Search is managed and maintained by a third party company and the issues have affected other councils nationally.
“The company has now announced that the problem has been identified and addressed, after some intensive testing.
“This means the council can start to use the software again and we will bring the website back online soon.”
