University Pays $20K To Ransomware Attackers

Cybercriminals infect University of Calgary network with virus, demand ransom to unlock data.

Dark Reading Staff, Dark Reading

June 9, 2016

1 Min Read

The University of Calgary paid $20,000 (CAD) to cyberattackers to have its computers decrypted after a ransomware attack on the institution’s network recently, reports CBC News. University official Linda Dalgetty said in a release that the attack, which targeted only faculty and staff emails, appeared to be an external one from an unknown source.

Dalgetty said they had the decryption keys and were working to restore the locked data, adding that the ransom was paid to “protect the quality and the nature of the information we generate at the university.”

There was no indication whether any personal or official data had been made public, said the release. The local police is investigating the case.

Read the full story at CBC News

 

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Dark Reading Staff

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