All Northern train station ticket machines, including at Harrogate and Knaresborough stations, are down after being subject to a suspected ransomware cyber-attack.

A ransomware attack occurs when malicious software is used to block access to a system until a ransom sum of money is paid.

The rail operator said no customer or payment data had been compromised and that customers could still buy tickets online.

There is no timescale for when the machines may be working again but Northern said it would try to fix the problem “as soon as possible”.

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A spokesperson for Northern said:

“Last week we experienced technical difficulties with our self-service ticket machines, which meant all have had to be taken off-line.

“This is the subject of an ongoing investigation with our supplier, but indications are that the ticket machine service has been subject to a ransomware cyber-attack.

“Working with the supplier, we took swift action and the incident has only affected the servers which operate the ticket machines. Customer and payment data has not been compromised.

“We are working to restore normal operation to our ticket machines as soon as possible. We are sorry for any inconvenience this incident causes and, in the meantime, are advising customers to either use Northern’s mobile app or website to purchase tickets in advance and, where necessary, to collect those from one of our ticket offices. Of course, those offices can also be used to buy tickets.

“Customers who have already bought tickets to be collected at a machine, or who would normally use ‘promise to pay’ slips, should board their booked service and either speak to the conductor or to Northern staff at their destination station.”