Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware in which hackers access files and encrypt them, demanding payment to restore access. Coverage includes ransomware attacks on cities, states, schools and public utilities, as well as legislative efforts to curb the threat and set policy on how to respond.
-
A school district in Pennsylvania canceled classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week while it investigates and isolates a ransomware virus, which did not appear to have come from a local source.
-
The Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority has said it found an intrusion Nov. 21 and “immediately activated” defensive controls. The organization was able to interrupt the incursion underway.
-
Public- and private-sector security leaders examined trends in cyber threats at the recent California Cybersecurity Education Summit. During an attack, one said, responding quickly is still very important.
More Stories
-
K-12 schools, with their wealth of data and limited resources, are tempting targets to ransomware criminals and hacktivists, says a new report. Nonprofits offer free support, but some say the federal government must do more.
-
An Oklahoma school district has restored most of its network operations following a ransomware attack last week. The district is still working with data forensics specialists and law enforcement to investigate.
-
An Oklahoma school district is advising students that their Google accounts and some handheld devices are safe, but they should not use district-issued desktops or laptops due to a ransomware attack last week.
-
More states consider rallying volunteer cyber teams that can provide services like incident response and vulnerability assessments throughout the state. These models differ from state to state, however.
-
The search for answers is ongoing in the case of the Oct. 20 ransomware attack against the 85 partners of the Midland Information Technology Consortium. Email and phone services have been restored, officials say.
-
While working with independent cybersecurity experts to investigate, an Iowa school district that suffered a cyber attack in September has since restored its systems and refused to pay the attacker's ransom.
-
Warning of a ransomware attack on Friday, Norman Public Schools asked families to turn off any devices issued by the district and not connect them to any network until further notice while law enforcement investigates.
-
Small glitches remain throughout the county systems, but officials say they are nearly 90 percent recovered from the BlackCat ransomware attack that disrupted city operations in mid August.
-
Auditors for the Port of South Louisiana say damages from the 2021 cyber attack totaled more than $420,000 in misappropriated funds. Only around $250,000 was recuperated through insurance.
-
The second International Counter Ransomware Initiative Summit drew together 36 nations and the E.U. to commit to share more information, establish international standards to disrupt illicit payments and coordinate other efforts to combat the threat.
-
The 2023-2025 strategic plan calls for whole-of-nation information sharing, unification within CISA, and more. Plus, CISA and partners discuss its forthcoming incident reporting rules and why “shields up” needs to be the new normal.
-
When state and local government suffers a cyber attack, officials are faced with a dilemma: How much is the public entitled to know? How much can you reveal while keeping systems secure?
-
North Carolina CIO Jim Weaver and former Washington CISO Vinod Brahmapuram explain obstacles and tips and tricks for states looking to better collaborate with local partners and extend cybersecurity support statewide.
-
Arizona CISO Tim Roemer shared his philosophy about motivational cyber awareness training, the importance of getting assertive with vendors and why state CISOs need to keep talking to each other.
-
Midland Police Department is conducting an investigation along with other law enforcement agencies after a ransomware attack took place recently against the Midland Information Technology Consortium.
-
After the Indianapolis Housing Authority suffered an early October ransomware attack, Section 8 landlords report not getting paid and question whether their personal data was compromised.
-
The private Christian university in Washington said multiple unauthorized actors infiltrated the network in July, possibly accessing names, student ID numbers, Social Security numbers and health insurance information.
-
The City Council recently joined the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, a division of the Center for Internet Security. The partnership will allow for better cyber incident information at no cost to the city.