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AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER -
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - INFRASTRUCTURE & OPERATIONS April 20, 2016
ALL ACADEMICS, STAFF AND STUDENTS AT UC SAN DIEGO
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 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.
--- The Cybersecurity Awareness Alert is produced by UC San Diego IT Services Security.
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