Hackers Attacks On Schools Are Increasing According To Recent Warning. With the pandemic still raging, many schools worldwide are still shuttering as tens of millions of school-age children are learning from home via remote or distance learning technologies. It is by no means a perfect substitute for in-person learning, but right now, at least, it’s the only viable option available.
Unfortunately, the trend has caught the attention of hackers worldwide, and the FBI and CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) have recently issued an alert warning to Schools that cyberattacks against such programs are on the rise. That ransomware attacks are increasingly targeting K-12 online school learning programs.
In fact, according to statistics collected by the agencies, in August and September of this year (2020), fully 57 percent of all ransomware hacks involved K-12 schools, up sharply from 28 percent as reported between January and July of last year.
More than One Group of Hackers
These hackers attacks on schools aren’t coming from a single group, either. The two most popular malware strains used against online learning infrastructure are Shlayer and SeuS, but many others. Other hackers include NanoCore, Gh0st, Kovter, Cerber, Dridex, and more. As you can see by this list, not all K-12 school attacks are with ransomware. Some of the strains mentioned above are Trojans and Infostealers, but ransomware hackers make up the greater bulk of attacks.
The government agencies’ information are also confirming separately on hackers attacks on schools by Check Point, which issued a mid-September report essentially reaching the same conclusions and warning of an ongoing surge of attacks against K-12 schools.
Unfortunately, these types of hackers attacks on schools will probably only increase in their frequency to attack schools before they start to fall off. However, with two vaccines, there’s finally a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. That means that with any luck, things may start returning to some semblance of normal toward the end of next year. Until then, stay vigilant. It’s going to be a rough ride for schools.
