Sunday, March 26, 2023
  • Advertise With Us
  • Write For Us
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
Download Latest Issue - Free!
The Cyber Express
Ransomware Report
  • MagazineDownload
  • Firewall Daily
    • All
    • Dark Web News
    • Data Breach News
    • Hacking News
    • Ransomware News
    • Vulnerabilities
    Cinoshi Malware-as-a-Service

    MaaS on Sale: Cybercrime Forum Selling Cinoshi Malware-as-a-Service for 2000 Rubles

    E-learning Platform Moodle

    Vulnerabilities Found in E-learning Platform Moodle, Users Urged to Update

    Explicit Online Content of Children

    Removing Explicit Online Content of Children is a Global War

    Rio Tinto Cyber Attack

    Rio Tinto Cyber Attack Puts Employee Information at Risk

    Team Insane PK Targets Indian Businesses

    Team Insane PK Targets Indian Businesses, Leaks Sensitive Data

    Goa Cyber attack 2

    Cl0p Ransomware Lists Goa State Government as Victim

    opt out of ChatGPT data collection

    OpenAI Has Privacy Issues: How Do We Opt Out of ChatGPT Data Collection?

    The City of Toronto Cyberattack

    The City of Toronto Cyberattack Confirmed, Linked to GoAnywhere Data Breach

    Counter Strike 2 leaked

    Oh No! Counter Strike 2 leaked Before Official Launch

  • Essentials
    • All
    • Compliance
    • Governance
    • Policy Updates
    • Regulations
    BreachForums

    FBI Arrests BreachForums Operator ‘Pompompurin’, Slaps Cybercrime Charges

    Cybersecurity Excellence Awards

    Cybersecurity Excellence Awards: Cyble Rated Fastest Growing Cybersecurity Company

    Insider threat mitigation

    Behavioral Psychology, a Boon for Insider Risk Mitigation

    Safer Internet

    International Safer Internet Day: How Safe Are Our Teenagers Online?

    TRAI

    TRAI Asked to Involve MoD in Drafting Big Data Regulations & Policies

    cybersecurity

    Cybersecurity incidents may soon be ‘uninsurable’

    Australia

    Australia Ropes in Tech Veterans to Set Up Cyber Action Plan

    Active Directory

    Prevent Ransomware: Save the Active Directory

    Privacy Penalty Bill

    Privacy Penalty Bill: Australian Parliament Approves Heavy Fines

    • Regulations
    • Compliance
    • Governance
    • Policy Updates
  • Features
    • Cyber Warfare
    • Espionage
    • Workforce
      • Learning & Development
  • Business News
    • All
    • Appointments
    • Budgets
    • Mergers & Aquisitions
    • Partnerships
    • Press Release
    • Startups
    CISA

    13 Specialists to Join Forces with CISA’s Cybersecurity Advisory Committee

    GISEC Global 2023

    GISEC Global 2023: H.E. Dr Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti Recognized for Outstanding Contributions in Advancing Global Cybersecurity

    GISEC Global 2023

    GISEC Global 2023: Knowledge Sharing, Collaboration Vital to Fend off Cyberattacks, say Experts

    Call & Contact Center Expo 2023 Las Vegas

    Call & Contact Center Expo 2023 Las Vegas

    Former BookMyShow CTO Mahesh Vandi Chalil

    Cyble Appoints Former BookMyShow CTO Mahesh Vandi Chalil as Chief Product and Technology Officer

    GISEC 2023

    GISEC 2023: Microsoft Highlights Zero Trust Approach and Mixed Reality Policing Tools

    GISEC Global 2023

    GISEC Global 2023: ‘Take the Fight to Cyber Attackers’ Urges UAE Cybersecurity Council Paper

    Cyble in Forbes List

    Cyble Recognized by Forbes as One of America’s Best Startup Employers 2023

    Cybersecurity Excellence Awards

    Cybersecurity Excellence Awards: Cyble Rated Fastest Growing Cybersecurity Company

    • Startups
    • Mergers & Aquisitions
    • Partnerships
    • Appointments
    • Budgets
    • Research
      • Whitepapers
      • Sponsored Content
      • Market Reports
    • Interviews
      • Podcast
  • EventsCyberCon
    •  Cyber Security Webinar
    • World CyberCon Middle East 2023
    • Endorsed Events
No Result
View All Result
The Cyber Express
  • MagazineDownload
  • Firewall Daily
    • All
    • Dark Web News
    • Data Breach News
    • Hacking News
    • Ransomware News
    • Vulnerabilities
    Cinoshi Malware-as-a-Service

    MaaS on Sale: Cybercrime Forum Selling Cinoshi Malware-as-a-Service for 2000 Rubles

    E-learning Platform Moodle

    Vulnerabilities Found in E-learning Platform Moodle, Users Urged to Update

    Explicit Online Content of Children

    Removing Explicit Online Content of Children is a Global War

    Rio Tinto Cyber Attack

    Rio Tinto Cyber Attack Puts Employee Information at Risk

    Team Insane PK Targets Indian Businesses

    Team Insane PK Targets Indian Businesses, Leaks Sensitive Data

    Goa Cyber attack 2

    Cl0p Ransomware Lists Goa State Government as Victim

    opt out of ChatGPT data collection

    OpenAI Has Privacy Issues: How Do We Opt Out of ChatGPT Data Collection?

    The City of Toronto Cyberattack

    The City of Toronto Cyberattack Confirmed, Linked to GoAnywhere Data Breach

    Counter Strike 2 leaked

    Oh No! Counter Strike 2 leaked Before Official Launch

  • Essentials
    • All
    • Compliance
    • Governance
    • Policy Updates
    • Regulations
    BreachForums

    FBI Arrests BreachForums Operator ‘Pompompurin’, Slaps Cybercrime Charges

    Cybersecurity Excellence Awards

    Cybersecurity Excellence Awards: Cyble Rated Fastest Growing Cybersecurity Company

    Insider threat mitigation

    Behavioral Psychology, a Boon for Insider Risk Mitigation

    Safer Internet

    International Safer Internet Day: How Safe Are Our Teenagers Online?

    TRAI

    TRAI Asked to Involve MoD in Drafting Big Data Regulations & Policies

    cybersecurity

    Cybersecurity incidents may soon be ‘uninsurable’

    Australia

    Australia Ropes in Tech Veterans to Set Up Cyber Action Plan

    Active Directory

    Prevent Ransomware: Save the Active Directory

    Privacy Penalty Bill

    Privacy Penalty Bill: Australian Parliament Approves Heavy Fines

    • Regulations
    • Compliance
    • Governance
    • Policy Updates
  • Features
    • Cyber Warfare
    • Espionage
    • Workforce
      • Learning & Development
  • Business News
    • All
    • Appointments
    • Budgets
    • Mergers & Aquisitions
    • Partnerships
    • Press Release
    • Startups
    CISA

    13 Specialists to Join Forces with CISA’s Cybersecurity Advisory Committee

    GISEC Global 2023

    GISEC Global 2023: H.E. Dr Mohamed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti Recognized for Outstanding Contributions in Advancing Global Cybersecurity

    GISEC Global 2023

    GISEC Global 2023: Knowledge Sharing, Collaboration Vital to Fend off Cyberattacks, say Experts

    Call & Contact Center Expo 2023 Las Vegas

    Call & Contact Center Expo 2023 Las Vegas

    Former BookMyShow CTO Mahesh Vandi Chalil

    Cyble Appoints Former BookMyShow CTO Mahesh Vandi Chalil as Chief Product and Technology Officer

    GISEC 2023

    GISEC 2023: Microsoft Highlights Zero Trust Approach and Mixed Reality Policing Tools

    GISEC Global 2023

    GISEC Global 2023: ‘Take the Fight to Cyber Attackers’ Urges UAE Cybersecurity Council Paper

    Cyble in Forbes List

    Cyble Recognized by Forbes as One of America’s Best Startup Employers 2023

    Cybersecurity Excellence Awards

    Cybersecurity Excellence Awards: Cyble Rated Fastest Growing Cybersecurity Company

    • Startups
    • Mergers & Aquisitions
    • Partnerships
    • Appointments
    • Budgets
    • Research
      • Whitepapers
      • Sponsored Content
      • Market Reports
    • Interviews
      • Podcast
  • EventsCyberCon
    •  Cyber Security Webinar
    • World CyberCon Middle East 2023
    • Endorsed Events
No Result
View All Result
The Cyber Express
No Result
View All Result
Home Cybersecurity News

Medusa Gang Slaps Million-dollar Ransom Note on Minneapolis Public Schools District

MPS is a large public school district in the US, serving 36,370 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across approximately 100 schools

Chandu Gopalakrishnan by Chandu Gopalakrishnan
March 8, 2023
in Cybersecurity News
0
minneapolis public schools district
610
SHARES
3.4k
VIEWS
Share on LinkedInShare on Twitter
Listen to this story

Medusa ransomware gang has slapped a million-dollar ransom note on the Minneapolis Public Schools District, days after the school district confirmed the ransomware attack.

The MPS administrators on February 7 alerted about a “threat actor” responsible for a recent hacking incident posted some of the stolen data, nearly two weeks after notifying parents of the “encryption event”.

You might also like

BreachForums to Fold After Finding Chinks in the Armour, Says New Admin

BreachForums Down After Promoter’s Arrest, Migration Underway Says New Admin

FBI Arrests BreachForums Operator ‘Pompompurin’, Slaps Cybercrime Charges

The school district systems went down on February 20. The administration om March 1 confirmed that it was a ransomware attack and stakeholder information was at risk but assured that it has not paid any ransom.

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) is a large public school district in the US, serving 36,370 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across approximately 100 schools.

The district is overseen by a school board and serves a diverse student population with over 90 home languages.

Image

MPS, Medusa ransomware, and US education institutions

Medusa ransomware leak site posted a ransom note on 7 February, naming the Minneapolis Public Schools District. The group has demanded a ransom of one million dollars.

The ransomware group has threatened to release the data pilfered in the ransomware attack by March 16 if the ransom is not paid. The gang would take $50,000 for extending the ransom deadline by a day.

Interestingly, the gang has also offered the data for sale for a million dollars. The samples listed on the leak site includes employee details, email, financial info etc.

The Minneapolis Public Schools District circulated an email among the stakeholders, stating that the incident has been reported to law enforcement and they are currently collaborating with IT experts to analyze the data and notify those affected.

“We want to caution you again about receiving, interacting with, or responding to any suspicious emails or phone calls from someone you do not know related to this event. Be aware of possible phishing events and other potential scams,” said the Minneapolis Public Schools District email.

“Additionally, we continue to recommend changing all passwords for any online personal accounts that you may have accessed on MPS devices.”

MPS and the ransomware attack timeline

February 21

The Minneapolis Public Schools District disclosed that it experienced technical difficulties affecting certain computer systems.

MPS staff, with the help of non-MPS IT specialists, are investigating the source and impact of this disruption and working to restore full functionality, the announcement said.

MPS claimed that the impacted data has been successfully restored from viable backups, meaning no data has been lost.

February 24

The Minneapolis Public Schools District administrators conceded that the technical difficulties disclosed was due to an “encryption event” affecting certain computer systems.

“To date, our investigation has found no evidence that personal information was compromised as a result of this event. If it is determined that personal information has been impacted, we will notify those specifically impacted individuals,” said the announcement.

March 1

The Minneapolis Public Schools District confirmed that the incident was indeed a ransomware attack. MPS urged the community to remain cautious regarding potential phishing events and scams.

“Please note, MPS has not paid a ransom and the investigation has not found any evidence that any data accessed has been used to commit fraud,” said the announcement.

“However, if the ongoing investigation indicates that personal information has been impacted, the impacted individuals will be notified immediately.”

Pandemic, US education, and cybersecurity

As students and teachers moved to online platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential for hacking and data breaches at education institutions went up, wrote Nir Kshetri, Professor of Management, University of North Carolina – Greensboro.

US Senator Ron Wyden this week wrote to the Department of Education to provide better cybersecurity software for American schools.

He urged to facilitate pre-negotiated software contracts between schools and educational software providers, which would help lower the cybersecurity cost burden for US schools.

To alleviate the burden on schools and ensure the privacy of students and schools, pre-negotiated contracts with educational technology providers are crucial, he said.

According to him, this would allow educators to prioritize both student learning and privacy, while also levelling the playing field between under-resourced school administrators and big tech companies.

“Technology designed for use in education, or “edtech,” has proliferated in the past decade and accelerated as the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a switch to remote schooling,” he wrote in the letter.

“While the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords some federal protections to student ‘education records,’ the bill’s authors, in 1974, could not have foreseen the high volume and new types of data generated by the digital tools used in schools today. Many edtech companies are taking advantage of these lagging standards.”

Federal agencies have warned educational institutions about growing ransomware threats to school networks, and CISA has released a formal guide to help improve cybersecurity for U.S. schools.

Share this:

  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Tags: Medusa ransomwareminneapolis public schools districtUS education
Previous Post

Women in Cybersecurity: 6 Lessons Learned From Running My Own Business

Next Post

DDoSecrets Releases Oakland City Data, Play Threatens With Another Leak

Chandu Gopalakrishnan

Chandu Gopalakrishnan

Executive Editor, The Cyber Express

Related Posts

BreachForums Final Update
Cybersecurity News

BreachForums to Fold After Finding Chinks in the Armour, Says New Admin

by Editorial
March 21, 2023
BreachForums
Cybersecurity News

BreachForums Down After Promoter’s Arrest, Migration Underway Says New Admin

by Chandu Gopalakrishnan
March 20, 2023
BreachForums
Compliance

FBI Arrests BreachForums Operator ‘Pompompurin’, Slaps Cybercrime Charges

by Chandu Gopalakrishnan
March 18, 2023
Indian Police Records for Sale on Dark Web
Cybersecurity News

900 million Indian Police Records Stolen, Data for Sale on Dark Web  

by Ashish Khaitan
March 14, 2023
Oakland City
Cybersecurity News

DDoSecrets Releases Oakland City Data, Play Threatens With Another Leak

by Ashish Khaitan
March 9, 2023
Next Post
Oakland City

DDoSecrets Releases Oakland City Data, Play Threatens With Another Leak

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Latest Issue is Out. Subscribe Now

Women in Cybersecurity

Download Now

CRIL


Follow Us On Google News

Never miss an update. Subscribe!

* indicates required

Top 10 Cybersecurity Jobs

Categories

About The Cyber Express

The Cyber Express

Cyber Security News and Magazine

The Cyber Express is a handbook for all stakeholders of the internet that provides information security professionals with the latest news, updates and knowledge they need to combat cyber threats.

Follow The Cyber Express

Contact

For editorial queries: [email protected]

For marketing, PR & media partnerships: [email protected]

For media kit and digitals sales: [email protected]

For Sponsorship/Event Partnership: [email protected]

For Conferences related information: [email protected]

Our Address

We’re remote friendly, with office locations around the world:

San Francisco, Atlanta, Rome,
Dubai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad,  Singapore, Jakarta, Sydney, and Melbourne

 

Headquarters:

The Cyber Express LLC
555 North Point Center E
Alpharetta, GA 30022, USA.

Tel: (678) 578-8838

Events: +1 (678) 578-4140

 

India Office:

Cyber Express Media Network
HD-021, 4th Floor, C Wing, Building No.4. Nesco IT Park, WE Highway, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India – 4000063

Tel: (678) 578-8838

Events: +1 (678) 578-4140

Subscribe to Our Feed

RSS Feeds

Follow Us On Google News

© 2022 The Cyber Express (Cyber Security News and Magazine) | By Cyble Inc.

No Result
View All Result
  • Firewall Daily
  • Business News
  • Cyber Essentials
  • Features
  • Cyber Security Magazine
  • Events
    • World CyberCon Middle East 2023
    •  Cyber Security Webinar

© 2022 The Cyber Express (Cyber Security News and Magazine) | By Cyble Inc.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.