Catalin Cimpanu reports: Thousands of web servers have been infected and had their files encrypted by a new strain of ransomware named Lilocked (or Lilu). Infections have been happening since mid-July, and have intensified in the past two weeks, ZDNet has learned. Read more on ZDNet.
Category: Malware
School officials: Ransomware prompts school closure in Flagstaff (updated)
No specific details about type of ransomware or any ransom demands, but schools are closed in Flagstaff, AZ today due to a ransomware attack that impacted a number of systems needed for day-to-day operations. Video news clip here: https://www.fox10phoenix.com/video/601919 Update of Sept. 6: Still no specifics as to what type of ransomware, but the district…
Ransomware gang wanted $5.3 million from US city, but they only offered $400,000
Catalin Cimpanu reports: A ransomware gang tried to extract a ransom payment of an unheard-of sum of $5.3 million from the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, but the city chose to restore from backups after hackers rejected a smaller counter-offer of only $400,000. The incident happened in early July, but details were kept under wraps…
CT: Police investigate attempted Sherman School data breach
Kendra Baker reports: State Police are investigating the discovery of ransomware on Sherman School computer servers last month. Ransomware is a software designed to deny access to data or a computer system until a ransom is paid. The malware was found in the school’s computer system Aug. 16, said Jeff Melendez, superintendent-principal of the Sherman…
NY School Delays Start of Year After Ransomware Attack
From NBC New York, this report on the Monroe-Woodbury School District’s decision: The Orange County school district delayed the first day of the school year until Thursday as they deal with a ransomware attack. It is not clear if the hackers demanded money, as other tri-state school districts have dealt with. Some more details in…
Temple University Health System back online after cyber attack
KYW reports: A Philadelphia hospital is getting back online after falling victim to a cyber attack. Temple University Health System’s computer system was hacked last week, according to officials. They say the cyber attack compromised numerous operations from email to scheduling. Read more on KYW.