A ransomware attack has caused an internet outage at Minnesota State University-Moorhead for over two weeks. University officials confirmed this on Thursday, February 1, when the IT team noticed server issues and activated the Incident Response plan. This plan involved shutting down various services like file servers, printing, and the website to prevent further spread and conduct a thorough investigation.
Upon investigation, it was found that some servers were encrypted and locked by ransomware. The university is still investigating the full extent of the incident but has determined that sensitive data like social security or credit card numbers were not stored on the affected servers. They will notify individuals if any personal information was accessed, following legal protocols.
Kirsten Jensen, AVP of Communications at MSUM, mentioned that they refrained from commenting until they were sure it was a cyber attack. She emphasized that the IT team was handling the situation effectively despite the lack of public communication initially.
Other Minnesota State colleges or universities have not been affected, and MSUM is actively monitoring its networks for any malicious activity. They are gradually restoring services, ensuring their safety.
Although there’s no evidence of information misuse, MSUM advises students and employees to use unique passwords for different accounts, change passwords regularly, use multi-factor authentication, and avoid accessing restricted data from non-university devices.
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Ransomware is malicious software that blocks access to files or data until a ransom is paid. It’s a growing threat, especially targeting educational institutions and government bodies. Minnesota State Colleges & Universities have a policy against paying ransoms.
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