Newcastle University, neighbouring Northumbria hit by ransomware attacks

A cyber attack at Newcastle University has turned out to be a ransomware infection courtesy of the Doppelpaymer gang. Hackers have posted a small sample of files from the gang on a leaks website, a tactic increasingly used by ransomware criminals to pressure victims into paying up. The university said in a statement on its …

[Anonymous Coward]

Higher Education not Further Education

Universities deliver Higher Education. Sixth forms and local colleges do Further Education.

[RM Myers]

Re: Higher Education not Further Education

Further education at both institutions might be appropriate, including education about timely and accurate notification of students and staff.

[Anonymous Coward]

powerpoint....

"Powerpoint, Office365 and teams were still accessible, it said."

Well, that's OK then. What else do you need a computer for other than making powerpoint slides?

(sorry, bad joke. Seemed a strange thing for a spokesbod to point out. Hat's off to those dropped in the deep end by this)

[Belief]

what do you think of online higher education?

[Ian Johnston]

I believe that correct term is "whyayberattack, man".

[Anonymous Coward]

It's also ironic since one of the words that the Border Reivers gave the world is "Blackmailed."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackmail

Although the blackmailers should watch out, because one of the other words they donated was bereaved.

[Anonymous Coward]

Durham

I work at Durham and we have been notified internally that we are also being attacked - no idea how successfully but at least some of our websites have been taken down. AC, obviously!

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Durham

MS have contacted several Universities telling them they are under attack.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Durham

And no doubt suggesting that if they only upped their licensed to E5 the miracle tech to block this will become available.

[MAF]

Re: Durham

MS are old hands at ransomware - but they just call it licensing...

[Terry 6]

Re: Durham

All making key software subject to annual license, rather than buy it and use it, is ransomware. Which says a lot about the beancounters who run these companies and the share holding big institutions who demand this attitude from them,