Montreal's Grande Bibliothèque has shut down some online services after a widespread data breach. While no personal information appears to have been compromised, the library has temporarily shut down its wifi and stopped reservation of external digital resources, interlibrary loans and book downloads. All of the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) buildings will stay open while an investigation is underway.
"A detailed analysis of our computer system is underway, and we are in contact with the Government Cyber Defense Center," the BAnQ wrote in a statement.
The services that remain unavailable are:
BAnQ wireless network
Reservation and access to external digital resources, including Pretnumerique.ca and OverDrive (The rest of the site, including the catalog, is available, although favourites are disabled)
Quebec Document Processing Service (SQTD) and Pistard
Interlibrary loan
BAnQ Numérique's external digital resources
Legal Deposit
Book download from the Service québécois du livre adapted (SQLA), although the catalog remains accessible
While the BAnQ's public wireless network is down, users can log in to the MTLWiFi network.
Reservations are possible by contacting the library's information desk. Similarly, to confirm the availability of a book, you should contact the research assistance counter.
The Grande Bibliothèque said it's unsure when disrupted services will become available again.
This latest service disruption follows another in May 2021, when the library shut down many online services.
Quebec childcare reservation site, La Place 0-5, was targeted and the personal data of thousands of users was stolen. Website host InMédia Technologies closed some of its servers in response, which impacted other sites that shared the same server, including the BAnQ, which were vulnerable to getting hacked.
This summer, my money went out from my bank account as fast as alcohol did from my stomach. And it probably did the same for you. The sad thing about being broke is you can’t do anything. My friends are planning to go on vacation during Labor Day or even during another week-end. Like, don’t you work ?
All my weekends are booked until next summer with amazing long shifts at my job. I, like most of you, just can’t afford to go on vacation this season. I even tried asking my parents for money. The answer came quickly. A big fat no.
Luckily, Montreal can be fun in Fall. Seriously. It can.
Here are some activities that you can do in Montreal if you’re drowning in debts and have a small budget :
From September 2 to October 31, 2016, you can see beautiful lanterns illuminating the Botanical Garden. It is really cheap and you get to walk across some wonderful pieces of art. Basically, you get to visit China. Minus the 1500$ for the plane ticket.
A lot of cool groups are coming to town this fall. Tickets can be pretty expensive, but just be smart. Don’t buy the VIP package that includes sitting in the floor section, lights toys, stickers, and other useless things . The vibe at any concert is really nice no matter where you sit. Even if it’s in the far back.
But I’m 25... So what ? Never miss an opportunity to get free candy. Plus, the big houses in Westmount have a lot of stairs. No 5 years old wants to climb a hundred stairs, so it leaves us with no more choice : these candies are yours to take. Those houses are meant for grown-ups. You could end up with a giant garbage bag full of candies.
4. Add new photos from Plateau-Mont-Royal’s streets to your Instagram
If you love movies, you should definitely go to the Cinemania Films Festival (November 3 to November 13). Only the best French-languages films are allowed.
The Mount-Royal in fall is simply breathtaking. All the leaves are full of colors. And you can enjoy a totally different view of Montreal at the Belvédère.
7. Get healthy by going apple picking at Le Verger Labonté
OK, it is not technically in Montreal but really near. The entrance is free and you can get so many apples that you’ll have a reserve for at least the coming year. With all your apples, you could cook an apple pie, an apple popcorn balls, an apple crostini, an applesauce... Just to name a few.
If you ever want to feel like an Italian, the Café Olimpico is for you. Situated at the heart of the Mile-End, this café, placed in a warm and authentic setting, offers the same quality that you can find in Italy !
Fall means back to school for most of us. The BAnQ is such a pretty library and a good place to study with your friends. You’ll want to spend all your time there. Wich is really goodfor your GPA.
Carabins or Redmen ? Fall is the football season and the Molson Stadium is just like a US campus. You get to experience what is like to be living in the United States. Without the fear of a mass shooting happening. Isn’t that cool ?! Also, tickets are half price is you’re a student. Be there or be square.
Been working all summer and couldn’t attend the Piknic Électronik ? No worries, the last Piknic is in October so you still have time to listen to electronic artists while drinking their giant buckets.
In November you can taste different wines from all around the world. You can also buy (and I know you will) wines that are not even available in Québec yet, so for your next dinner, you could WOW everyone at the table.
Try to impress your family with a delicious Thanksgiving meal. You can get the perfect turkey at the Marché Jean-Talon and make your family thankful that you’re one of them. Oh, you’re vegan ? Just get yourself the biggest pumping or some vegetables and it will be fine.
Do you ever wonder what an apocalypse would look like ? I do. This fall, you can dress as a zombie and walk around Montreal. It is totally free. The only thing you have to do is dress like a zombie. But if you’re already one, blend yourself amongst those fake zombies. No one will notice. The meeting is on Saturday, October 29th, 2016 at Place des Festivals in the Quartier des Spectacles.
Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean you have to stay inside and cry your balls out. The weather is not too hot, so you won’t end up sweating like a pig.
Fall in love this Fall. Bring your date to the Old Port and take her see the ancestral houses. The Old Port is like entering a totally different world. You’ll make her feel like a heroine from a romance novel.
