Iowa AMBER Alert system back online after hacker attack

Authorities say a computer server that hosts Iowa's AMBER alert system is back online following a hacker attack that shut down the site nearly two weeks ago.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety on Wednesday says the site, which also hosts the Iowa State Patrol's crash report website, has been repaired.

The incident happened on Nov. 27 when a hacker breached a server used by the department and reissued an AMBER alert from February. The alert was canceled within minutes.

The breach was third time hackers broke into a state government website this year. All were traced to a foreign Internet address. The investigation continues.

State officials say the Iowa AMBER alert system will be tested before Jan. 1, and the media and the public will be notified.