Ransomware Attack Encountered at a California Nursing School

One particular nursing school in California was attacked with ransomware around October 2016 which is in the news now. CSO Online describes the incident wherein a Gurnick Academy instructor couldn't just take his class because he found his computer files where he stored his lectures were inaccessible for, they had been encrypted. Luckily, the IT department of the school acted fast thus preventing the whole school from getting affected similarly.

The encryption wasn't let to spread as the IT specialists realized the event early enough. They made the infected machine stand out of the school network.

Nevertheless, having one ransomware note whereby the files would be unlocked provided a ransom amount of 1 bitcoin alternatively USD740 was paid, the instructor found the situation already out of his control. Thus he had to again write his lectures while lost a few lately constructed files. He couldn't as well do other tasks on his computer for some hours because the operating system was being reinstalled as also everything else configured. Itech Post posted this, January 27, 2017.

It's understood that the ransomware's source was the instructor's PC alternatively some other place. Among the data stolen, lectures, presentations and personal information were included. But, that's not the end of the security hack. All of the instructor's encrypted files got replicated onto Google Drive because the Google Drive sync was enabled on his system.

During 2016, cyber-criminals launching ransomware attacks apparently have been earning enormously as they targeted healthcare institutions, schools and police departments. A specific ransomware namely CryptoLocker has characteristics of a Trojan which does its tasks like a virus. Incidentally, any hacker having minimum technical knowledge can unleash ransomware attacks.

Los Angeles Times reports that according to FBI sources, during January-March, 2016 alone, users victimized in USA had to give away over $209m towards paying ransoms, an increase from $25m during 2015.

Consequently, technical leaders and lawmakers are widely encouraging to have ransomware banned through state legislation. Within California, one bill that state Senator Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) has authored seeks for revising penal code so ransomware employment is considered a crime.

» SPAMfighter News - 2/1/2017