Reykjavík University (HR) finds itself in a state of emergency as it grapples with the aftermath of a cyber attack believed to be orchestrated by Russian hackers. Since the attack on Friday morning, net safety specialists and university personnel have been tirelessly working to restore the compromised systems and recover vital files, as reported by Vísir. The attackers, identified as the Russian hacker group Akira, have a history of employing ransomware tactics, encrypting or pilfering data and demanding payment for restoration. This incident mirrors their previous assaults, including one on Swedish government agencies’ online services.
Despite the widespread impact of the cyber attack, HR asserts that the hackers were only able to access basic information about the student body. However, the university is not taking any chances, issuing recommendations for students and staff to bolster security measures. HR urges individuals to change passwords used across multiple platforms, be cautious of phishing attempts, and utilize two-factor authentication wherever possible to mitigate further risks. While details about the restoration efforts remain undisclosed, HR assures students of timely updates and aims to resume classes by February 5th, demonstrating a commitment to overcoming the cyber crisis and restoring normalcy to campus operations.
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