Message from IT/Help Desk:

There is currently a worldwide increase in computer virus activity. Of special concern is the Ransomware/Crypto virus. This comes to you in the form of an official looking email with a file attachment. When you open the attachment, your computer is directed to an Internet site where the Ransomware virus is installed. If you receive any unsolicited email from an unknown or questionable source, do not click on the attachment without first contacting the sender to determine the authenticity of the message.

How Ransomware infects your computer
The Ransomware virus is especially harmful. It will encrypt the files on your computer and your mapped network drives. The perpetrator then demands a payment through an anonymous site in order for you to obtain the decryption key to access your data. Falling victim to this scam puts not only your device at risk but other data on Augusta University’s network.

What is being done?
Information Technology’s Security and Messaging teams are investigating these infections and putting in appropriate protective measures.

What next?
If you have received an email as described above, please forward it as an attachment to stopspam@augusta.edu.

After forwarding the suspicious email, permanently delete it from your mailbox by pressing Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Delete (Mac) on your keyboard.

Best practices
Never click on a link, attachment, fax, etc. you receive in an email, unless you are expecting it. If you have any doubts about a suspicious email, the best option is to delete the message right away or contact the sender to verify the authenticity.

More information
Systems at a Los Angeles hospital are currently being held hostage by the creator of this virus. The captor is demanding $3.6 million in ransom. Refer to this article for additional information about this very serious security threat.

Information Technology Help Desk
Tel – 706.721.4000
Tel – 706.721.7500
augusta.edu/its/help