RTL Today – Cyberattack: Maastricht University hit by ransomware, all systems taken offline
The Dutch university was hit by a major cyber attack over the Christmas break.
Maastricht University (UM) announced on Christmas Eve that its systems had been hit by ransomware. As a precautionary measure all systems were taken offline. It remains unknown whether personal or scientific data was attacked.
According to its latest update, education will resume as planned on January 6th. A helpline has been set up for worried students and academic staff, as 25 IT specialists are working around the clock to minimalise the damage. The system was hacked by the Clop software, which, through phishingmails, entered the Maastricht network.
The university said it had been in contact with the hackers, but no further details were released.
Many students are in the process of writing exams, and are unable to upload them to the university's online portal. Others have scientic data saved online. Students are advised to change all passwords outside of the university network.
Regional newspaper De Limburger reported that Russian criminals may be behind the cyber attack. The newspaper bases this theory on cyberexpert Vitali Kremez in New York, who told the paper that he presumes the hacking group is part of the Russian TA505 group.
Gloss