University College London (UCL) hit by Ransomware Cyber Attack

[elsiegee40]

University College London, one of the world's leading universities, has been hit by a major cyber-attack.

 

The university describes it as a "ransomware" attack, such as last month's cyber-attack which threatened NHS computer systems.

The attack was continuing on Thursday, with access to online networks being restricted.

 

The university has warned staff and students of the risk of data loss and "very substantial disruption".

 

University College London (UCL) is a "centre of excellence in cyber-security research", a status awarded by the GCHQ intelligence and monitoring service.

 

The central London university, ranked last week in the world's top 10, says that a "widespread ransomware attack" began on Wednesday.

 

It was first blamed on so-called "phishing" emails, with links to destructive software.

But later the university suggested it was more likely to be from contact with a "compromised" website, where clicking on a pop-up page might have spread a malware infection.

 

Full story:

Top university under 'ransomware' cyber-attack - BBC News

[DJ-1701]

Oh no... oh boy... here we go again. I feel sorry for the techies there.

[Arthur]

www.ucl.ac.uk/isd/news/isd-news/jun2017/ucl-wide-ransomware-attack-14062017

[round2it]

had emails from them today.

[Asgard]

Just to add to this.

The Jisc security list had this posted to it last night

 

/

 

Proofpoint have now published an in-depth analysis of the AdGholas Malvertising Campaign Using Astrum EK to Deliver Mole Ransomware

 

Details:

 

https://www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-insight/post/adgholas-malvertising-campaign-using-astrum-ek-deliver-mole-ransomware

Edited June 21, 2017 by Asgard

[clockend25]

Hmm. They handle our trust's central IT support.

[PotNoodleTech]

So basically we cant trust any adverts. Site wide ad blocking seems to be the way to go here?