Combatting School Phishing and Ransomware Threats

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The Battle Against School Phishing And Ransomware
Issues
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Summary The increasing frequency of cyber
threats, particularly phishing and ransomware
attacks, poses a significant challenge for
educational institutions. Between 2016 and 2022,
public K-12 schools experienced over 1,600 cyber
incidents, with more than 50 reported ransomware
attacks annually. A recent attack on a New Haven
school, resulting in a 6 million loss,
highlights the vulnerability of schools to cyber
criminals exploiting email exchanges. The
attractiveness of schools as ransomware targets
stems from their possession of valuable data,
limited budgets, diverse user bases, and
decentralized IT systems. Internal threats,
including pranks by students, further emphasize
the need for comprehensive security solutions.
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Various cyber threats, such as email phishing,
spear phishing, whaling, vishing, and smishing,
continually challenge school IT administrators,
requiring constant vigilance and proactive
measures. Implementing robust cyber security
practices, including awareness training,
technological fortifications, and vigilant
response strategies, is crucial for safeguarding
schools against evolving cyber threats. The
battle against these issues necessitates ongoing
attention, adaptation to emerging threats, and
the implementation of effective cyber security
protocols to create a secure digital environment
for students, educators, and staff.
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Schools are facing a rising number of cyber
threats, especially phishing and ransomware
attacks. From 2016 to 2022, there were over 1,600
cyber incidents targeting public K-12 schools,
with more than 50 reported ransomware attacks
each year. A recent attack on a New Haven school
highlighted the seriousness of the issue, where
cyber criminals stole 6 million by exploiting
email exchanges between the COO, the citys
budget office, and vendors. They impersonated the
COO for six fraudulent transfers. Ransomware and
phishing pose significant challenges for schools,
administrators, and their IT departments.
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Why educational institutions are targeted by
ransomware?
Schools and universities have become increasingly
attractive targets for ransomware attacks in
recent years. These institutions often possess a
unique combination of factors that make them
vulnerable 1. Valuable Data Educational
institutions hold a wealth of sensitive data,
including student records, financial information,
and research data. This information can be
incredibly valuable to cyber criminals who can
sell it on the dark web or use it for identity
theft.
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2. Limited IT Resources Many schools and
universities have limited IT budgets and staff,
making it difficult for them to invest in robust
cyber security measures. This lack of resources
can make it easier for attackers to target and
exploit vulnerabilities. 3. Pressure to Pay
Schools and universities often feel pressure to
pay ransoms quickly to minimize disruption to
their operations and protect sensitive data. This
can make them more likely to give in to attacker
demands. 4. Outdated Systems Many educational
institutions still rely on outdated IT systems
that are vulnerable to attack. This is especially
true for smaller schools and districts that may
not have the resources to upgrade their
technology.
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The consequences of a ransomware attack on an
educational institution can be severe. In
addition to the financial losses, these attacks
can also disrupt classes, damage the
institutions reputation, and put students
personal information at risk. Schools are often
targeted by ransomware attacks because they are
considered easy targets. The presence of valuable
personal data and insufficient security measures
make them attractive to attackers. Surprisingly,
some threats come from within, with students
attempting pranks or vandalism. This emphasizes
the need for comprehensive security solutions
that address both external and internal risks. To
understand the cyber security risks faced by
regular schools and K-12 institutions, its
important to consider factors like valuable data,
limited budgets, a diverse user base,
decentralized IT systems, lack of cyber security
expertise, and the challenges posed by remote
learning and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device).
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Type of threats currently impacting schools
Schools encounter various cyber threats, and its
not just limited to phishing or ransomware. IT
administrators need to stay alert because cyber
criminals are always coming up with new ways to
infiltrate systems. 1. Email phishing This is a
deceptive tactic where cyber criminals send
emails pretending to be trustworthy sources to
extract personal information. These malicious
emails often contain links or downloads that,
when clicked, can infect systems or steal data.
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2. Spear phishing, or targeted email
phishing Taking regular phishing a step further,
spear phishing involves carefully crafting emails
to target specific individuals or organizations.
Personalizing the attack increases its success
rate, making it highly dangerous. 3. Whaling, or
targeted emails impersonating a senior player at
an organization Whaling is a sophisticated form
of spear phishing that focuses on top-tier
executives. The New Haven crisis is a classic
example where cyber criminals impersonated a
senior executive, resulting in significant
financial losses. There are multiple instances of
successful whaling attacks in schools.
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4. Vishing or phone call phishing Vishing is the
telephone version of email phishing, where
scammers pretend to be legitimate entities over
the phone. With AI-trained voices, cyber
criminals are now creating more convincing and
deceptive calls, raising the stakes. 5.
Smishing, or phishing by SMS text Smishing uses
text messages to deceive recipients. Cyber
criminals send texts prompting recipients to
click links or call numbers, leading to potential
data theft or system compromise.
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Protecting the Classroom Best Practices for
Keeping Schools Secure from Cyber Threats
1. Laying the Foundation Awareness and
Training Everyone in the school community, from
students to janitors, needs to understand basic
cyber security concepts and how to spot
suspicious activity. Regular training sessions
and awareness campaigns can equip everyone with
the knowledge and vigilance to be the first line
of defense. Age-appropriate cyber security
lessons can be incorporated into curriculums to
instill good digital hygiene habits from a young
age. Think fun quizzes, interactive games, and
engaging activities that make learning about
online safety enjoyable.
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• 2. Fortifying the Walls Robust Technology and
  Policies
• Invest in strong firewalls and antivirus
  software. These act as gatekeepers, filtering out
  malicious traffic and protecting your network
  from unwanted intrusions. Regularly update these
  defenses to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.
• Implement strict password policies. Enforce
  strong password requirements (length, complexity,
  no personal information) and regular password
  changes. Consider multi-factor authentication for
  added security.
• Secure your Wi-Fi networks. Use separate networks
  for students, staff, and guests, and encrypt them
  with strong passwords. Monitor network activity
  for suspicious behavior.

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• 3. Building a Watchtower Vigilance and Response
• Monitor your systems for suspicious activity.
  Look for unusual login attempts, changes in user
  behavior, or spikes in network traffic. Early
  detection can help prevent serious damage.
• Have a clear incident response plan. Everyone in
  the school community should know what to do in
  case of a cyberattack. This plan should include
  steps for containment, communication, and
  recovery.
• Partner with cyber security experts. Dont try to
  go it alone. Seek help from qualified cyber
  security professionals who can assess your
  vulnerabilities, implement security measures, and
  provide ongoing support.

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Conclusion
The battle against school phishing and ransomware
issues is an ongoing challenge that demands
unwavering attention and proactive measures from
educational institutions. The surge in cyber
threats, including sophisticated techniques like
spear phishing and whaling, underscores the need
for comprehensive security solutions. The
vulnerabilities arising from valuable data,
limited budgets, diverse user bases,
decentralized IT systems, and a lack of cyber
security expertise make schools soft
targets. School administrators and IT departments
must stay vigilant, adapt to evolving cyber
criminal strategies, and implement robust cyber
security protocols. By addressing these issues
head-on, schools can fortify their defences,
safeguard sensitive information, and create a
secure digital environment for students,
educators, and staff.
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CTA
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ongoing battle against school phishing and
ransomware issues. Learn essential strategies,
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latest updates on cybersecurity in the education
sector.
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