A spokesman for software provider Finalsite confirmed that the company was hit by a ransomware attack that affected the websites of about 5,000 schools, with about 4,500 U.S. schools affected. Finalsite is reportedly based in Connecticut, USA. According to the company, about 8,000 schools worldwide, including boarding schools, high schools and universities, use the company’s software for their websites and public communications.
According to Finalsite, the company discovered the ransomware on some of its computer systems on the 4th, and no data breach has been detected. In addition to communication platforms such as Finalsite, the ransomware attack had caused forced disruptions in distance learning at many U.S. schools during the New Crown outbreak. According to cybersecurity firm EMSIsoft, more than a thousand K-12 schools in the U.S. have been compromised by ransomware in each of the past three years.
Data shows the U.S. suffered 65,000 ransomware attacks last year, or more than seven per hour. More and more cybercriminals are now targeting critical parts of the U.S. infrastructure, with an attack on the Colonial Pipeline pipeline network system triggering panic buying some time ago and another attack on JBS raising concerns about the U.S. domestic beef supply.
Cyber security firm Recorded Future reported 65,000 ransomware attacks last year. Criminals can easily find some variants of ransomware, and the existence of cryptocurrencies makes it easier for criminals to evade law enforcement and financial regulators.
Ransomware attacks occur frequently, and the attack methods tend to be diversified and sophisticated. It can be said that ransomware viruses are indefensible and pose a huge threat to enterprises, even for government, schools, hospitals and other units. The outbreak of ransomware always leaves people unprepared, and in the face of ransomware, advance prevention can reduce the risk of data being encrypted.
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