Do you know the risks of ransomware?

Learn How to Prevent Ransomware Attacks at K-12 Schools Do you know the risks of ransomware? Online learning has allowed students to continue their education throughout the pandemic, but schools have also been at higher risk of ransomware attacks. To protect schools and student communities from ransomware attacks, it is important to know what a ransomware attack is, how to prevent these attacks, and steps to take if an attack were to occur. As part of the 2021 "Virtual School" Cybersecurity Campaign, the School Safety program has outlined guidelines for preventing and responding to a ransomware attack. About Ransomware: Ransomware is a form of malware designed to encrypt files on a device, rendering any files and the systems that rely on them unusable. Malicious actors then demand ransom in exchange for decryption. Ransomware incidents can severely impact administrative processes and leave schools without the data they need to operate. Malicious actors also increasingly use tactics, such as deleting system backups, that make restoration and recovery more difficult or infeasible for impacted organizations. Ransomware Prevention Checklist: Use this checklist to avoid ransomware attacks and keep your school's information secure. Avoid downloading software from unknown sources. Avoid clicking untrustworthy links in emails. Back up your computer frequently. Avoid giving away personal information such as passwords and usernames. Ransomware Attack Response Checklist: Use this checklist following the event of a ransomware attack. Please refer to CISA's Ransomware Guide for the complete checklist. Determine which systems were impacted, and immediately isolate them. Only in the event you are unable to disconnect devices from the network, power them down to avoid further spread of the ransomware infection. Triage impacted systems for restoration and recovery. Ransomware Resources for Schools: Bookmark and read these additional resources for more information about preventing and responding to ransomware attacks at your school. Ransomware Reference Materials for K-12 (CISA) Cyber Threats to K-12 Remote Learning Education (CISA) Ransomware Tip Sheet (CISA) Ransomware Safety Video (CISA) Learn more about how to prevent and respond to ransomware attacks by visiting the COVID-19 Resources page on SchoolSafety.gov. You can also follow @SchoolSafetyGov on Twitter for information on additional cybersecurity and school safety resources. The Federal School Safety Clearinghouse is a federal government interagency collaboration comprised of the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and Justice to provide a comprehensive and centralized location for federal school safety resources. The Clearinghouse reviews, collects, and distributes guidance, tools, best practices, and actionable recommendations to improve safety and security within school communities. Learn more at SchoolSafety.gov. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Privacy Policy | GovDelivery is providing this information on behalf of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and may not use the information for any other purposes.     U.S. Department of Homeland Security · www.dhs.gov · 202-282-8000 This email was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog  *the blog owner has deleted the hyperlink intentionally