SUBJECT:

Ransomeware Attacks on the Rise

Ransomware is a form of computer virus that encrypts your files making them unreadable. The hackers then try to extort money from you to unencrypt them. Such attacks are becoming increasingly common against individuals and organizations, especially hospitals.

Recently, computers at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center were down for a week from a ransomware attack. The hospital eventually paid the hackers $17,000, but the far greater cost in lost revenue and time has been estimated at over half-a-million dollars. A San Diego hospital, Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, was attacked last week. Their IT team avoided paying a ransom through protecting and restoring systems, all without compromising patient or employee records.

Individuals are also susceptible to ransomware. To avoid such attacks:

·   Install anti-virus software and keep it updated. Sophos Endpoint
    Protection is available for supported UC San Diego-owned devices:
    http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/networkresources
·   Keep operating systems and applications patched.
·   Back up important files to a secure location separate from your
    computer.
·   Be cautious of phishing emails asking you to open files, click
    on links, or install applications.

For questions about attack prevention or if you believe you are the victim of a malicious attack, contact security@ucsd.edu. To report suspicious emails, contact abuse@ucsd.edu.

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The Cybersecurity Awareness Alert is delivered to faculty, students, and staff of UC San Diego as part of an effort to increase community awareness of current issues in information and identity security and to provide guidance for the prevention of information loss. For more about information security at UC San Diego, visit http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/security.

The Cybersecurity Awareness Alert is produced by UC San Diego IT Services Security.

Pierre Ouillet Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Christopher A. Longhurst, MD, MS Chief Information Officer Clinical Professor of Biomedical Information & Pediatrics UC San Diego Health Services Brian DeMeulle Executive Director - Infrastructure & Operations Acting Chief Information Security Officer