CU Cautions Inmates about Hacker Assault Targeting its IT Network

Carleton University has issued an alert to employees and students following one external group seemingly trying infiltrating the institution's information technology network. The institution is cautioning that any computer, which runs Windows OS and which the primary network can access, is likely to be compromised.

CU's information security unit has started work for saving the network so as to avoid further attacks. The university, within one missive through its regular online site and its Facebook section, cautioned that the network required getting lesser traffic so users should avoid operating Microsoft Windows computers presently and even keep them switched off.

The department in reference to the possible compromise cautioned that computer users might find ransomware messages popping up making payment demands in Bitcoins.

It is as well the most recent ransomware assault aiming at big institutions. Ransomware refers to one kind of malware which doesn't let an end-user access his PC till he makes a payment. Ottawacitizen.com posted this, November 29, 2016.

In its statement, the university said that end-users must overlook all messages suggesting they make a payment while they should report those messages at ccs.service.desk@carleton.ca or ext.3700 of the CCS Help Desk.

David Kenyi who's one voluntary worker with International Students Service Office stated that he received one notification about the system closure on his mobile. University spokesman Chris Cline stated it couldn't be clearly said who was responsible for carrying out the hack. While he said with certainty that hackers had demanded payment, he could not say the amount.

According to threat intelligence and cyber-security consultant Cheryl Biswas at KPMG, through ransomware assaults, attackers grab on others' cash. The money making method is superbly easy for them.

The university further stated that the division of information security within the department of computing and communication services had engaged experts to evaluate the situation while adopt measures for making the network secure.

As per Ms. Biswas, the most appropriate safeguard vis-à-vis ransomware assaults was for making sure PCs had their security patches up-to-date. Her additional recommendation was that users perform frequent back-ups in order that their systems could be retrieved in case of an attack.

» SPAMfighter News - 12/2/2016