Net safety specialists and employees of Reykjavík University (HR) have been hard at work getting the university system back on line and recovering files since Friday morning, Vísir reports, following a cyber attack.
In a statement from HR, it is believed that the Russian hacker group Akira is behind the attack. This group typically employs ransomware, a hack that either encrypts or steals data in other system, and then demands payment to have the files restored. One of their last known attacks was in Sweden, where they hit the online services of numerous government agencies.
HR says that the cyber attack on their system was widespread, but that fortunately the attackers were only able to retrieve the most basic information about the student body. Nonetheless, the university is recommending students and faculty alike take precautions. Passwords are encrypted on HR’s site, but “if students and HR staff have used their HR password as an identifier elsewhere, they must change their password at those locations, and people are encouraged to be wary of messages and emails that suggest phishing. It is also recommended to use two-factor authentication wherever available.”
HR did not disclose more about what work was being done to restore the university’s systems, but students will be alerted on any updates that may arise. They added that classes are intended to commence again on February 5th.
