Ransomware Attack on Knox College

Hive, a hacker group, broke into the college's computer system and accessed student data, a common tactic used by ransomware. In an email to the students, the group wrote, "We have compromised your college networks. The data we have includes your personal information, medical records, psychological assessments, and other sensitive data." The email was written in broken English, a common characteristic of international ransomware hackers.

Hive went on to say, “Additionally all of your SSN and Medical records will be put for sale, for every hacker to gain access and use your data in whatever illegal activity they want …. To us, this is a normal business day. For you, its a sad day where everyone will see your personal and private info.”

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts a victim's files. The attackers then demand a ransom from the victim to restore access to the files upon payment. Ransomware attacks are often carried out using a Trojan that is disguised as a legitimate file and is usually downloaded unknowingly by the victim. The victim is typically infected with the ransomware through an email attachment, although there are other ways this can happen, such as through a malicious website. Once the victim's system is infected, the ransomware will typically display a message stating that the victim's files have been encrypted and demanding payment in exchange for a decryption key. Ransomware can be especially harmful to businesses, as it can disrupt operations and result in lost productivity and revenue. There have been instances where hospitals, schools, and other organizations have had to shut down their systems and pay large sums of money to restore their data. It is important to regularly back up your data and keep your computer's security software up to date to protect against ransomware attacks.

What should you do if you’ve been the victim of a ransomware attack?

If you have been the victim of a ransomware attack, there are a few steps you can take:

Disconnect your device from the internet to prevent the ransomware from spreading or communicating with the attackers.
If you have a backup of your data, restore your files from the backup. This is the most effective way to recover your data without paying the ransom.
Contact a lawyer who is experienced in cybersecurity and data breaches. They can advise you on your legal options and help you navigate the aftermath of the attack.
Report the attack to the appropriate authorities, such as the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). This can help law enforcement track down the attackers and prevent them from targeting other individuals or organizations.
Consider whether to pay the ransom. This is generally not recommended, as it may encourage the attackers to continue their activities and may not guarantee the restoration of your data. However, if you have no other option and the data is particularly valuable, you may need to weigh the risks and benefits.

A lawyer may be able to help you by:

Advising you on your legal options and the potential consequences of paying the ransom.
Assisting you in reporting the attack to the appropriate authorities.
Representing you in any legal proceedings that may arise as a result of the attack, such as civil lawsuits or criminal charges.
Helping you negotiate with the attackers or their intermediaries to try to secure the release of your data.
Assisting you in recovering any damages that you may be entitled to as a result of the attack.

Should you pay ransom to cyber attackers?

It is generally not recommended to pay the ransom in a ransomware attack. There is no guarantee that paying the ransom will actually result in the restoration of your data, and it may encourage the attackers to continue their activities. Additionally, paying the ransom may not be the best financial decision, as the cost of the ransom may be higher than the value of the data that has been lost.

If you have a backup of your data, restoring your files from the backup is usually the most effective way to recover your data without paying the ransom. If you do not have a backup, you may need to consider whether the data that has been lost is worth paying the ransom for. If the data is not particularly valuable, it may not make sense to pay the ransom. However, if the data is critical to your business or personal life and you have no other way to recover it, you may need to weigh the risks and benefits of paying the ransom.

It is important to note that paying the ransom does not guarantee that the attackers will release your data, and there have been instances where individuals and organizations have paid the ransom but have not had their data restored.

Whatever your decision, it is important to consult with authorities and a lawyer who is experienced in cybersecurity and data breaches to advise you on your legal options and help you navigate the aftermath of the attack.