The FBI recently reported an increase in ransomware activity targeting educational institutions. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the entire hard drive of a computer behind the scenes and makes it unusable until you pay a ransom in bitcoins as per the instructions provided on the screen. Since the hacker has the encryption key, they can also use it to access any of the files on your computer and misuse the information.
To help prevent ransomware attacks:
- Run your Windows or macOS updates as soon as they’re available.
- Keep your anti-virus (e.g. ESET, Microsoft Defender) and/or anti-malware software (e.g. Malwarebytes) updated, with regular scans.
- Do not click on suspicious links in email.
- Do not open shared Google documents or email attachments that are embedded in an email unless you are expecting them and follow up with the sender when in doubt.
- Every time you click on a link that is mailed to you, if you have any doubts at all about its legitimacy, mouseover the link to see if it is a legitimate URL (if it is a link to a Google Doc, it must be a google.com URL, for example).
- If you are prompted for a software update while browsing the web, make sure it is legitimately from the source (e.g. scams that imitate Adobe Flash updates).
- When in doubt, contact the Help Desk for further guidance.
- If your computer is affected by a ransomware attack, shut it down immediately and contact the Help Desk to receive further instructions.
More information on securing your computer.
To: Everyone
From: Lori Parmet, LTS, lparmet@wellesley.edu
More Info: Computing Help Desk, LTS, 781-283-3333 (faculty/staff) 781-283-7777 (students), helpdesk@wellesley.edu
