Ransomware strikes University College London

Ransomware is a form of malicious software which locks the files on a victim’s computer until they pay a ransom to the cybercriminal.

After a widespread attack targeted UCL, the institution was forced to disconnect large parts of its IT system.

It is not known how similar the malicious software is to the WannaCry ransomware which infected NHS computers in May.

The university’s information services division claimed its virus checkers did not show any suspicious activity or catch the attack.

UCL believes the malware was able to infect its systems through phishing emails – emails which contain malicious links or attachments – which a user was tricked into clicking on.

There are many reasons a virus checker could have failed to catch the phishing emails – including it not being particularly good.

Source: Ransomware strikes University College London