Cyberattacks on educational institutions are on the rise, and they have become the second most common target for network attacks. With the large amount of entry points found in schools, it’s not hard to believe that a cyberattack will be able to find its way in.
Cyberattacks Common in Schools
Schools should be prepared for many different types of network attacks, but there are certain ones you especially need to watch out for. One common attack is a distributed denial of service (DDoS) where a hacker takes a network offline by gaining control of the computers and overwhelming the network with traffic. Rutgers University had to deal with such an attack, which crippled its network services.
Ransomware is usually directed more so at corporations, but schools can be targets, too. This malware will block access to a computer system and will hold it ransom until money is received. A school district in South Carolina found themselves the victim of a ransomware attack after hackers blocked access to the district’s computer system. In the end, the district paid the ransom of $10,000 for the decryption key.
The last type of cyberattack to watch out for is phishing scams. These fraudulent emails spoof its target and get him or her to divulge private information that can be used to commit fraud or identity theft. School districts can be targets, and one such district in Washington was fooled by the phishing scam called the CEO fraud.
Related: IT Challenges Plaguing Modern School Divisions
Protect Your School from Cyberattacks with these Tips
- Regularly back up your files. When you regularly back up your files, you can still get access to them if a ransomware attack occurred. You wouldn’t have to pay the ransom or deal with the cybercriminals. Your regular backup schedule should have restrictions with it like read/write permissions. There shouldn’t be the option to modify or delete any of the files.
- Check the shape of your backups. Sometimes when things seem to be going right, there are in fact going wrong. After you do a backup, ensure your files are fine. There are times when something can damage them, and double checking them is good practice.
- Trust cautiously. Malicious links can seem to come from the most trustworthy sources. If you’ve received something out of the ordinary from a colleague, you should call that person directly to verify they sent it. If it wasn’t, their account has been compromised.
- Regularly update your school’s operating system. Vulnerabilities in software are often taken advantage of by hackers to compromise systems. Ensure your system is regularly scanned for gaps and that patches are distributed to keep your system updated.
Cybercriminals target anything that isn’t strongly protected. If they can find a way in, they’ll exploit every vulnerability they can. If your school isn’t protected as strongly as it could be, now would be the time to beef up your security. ACSI has helped many school districts strengthen their security measures, and we can help you, too. Contact us for more information.
