“Maastricht University (UM) has been hit by a serious cyber attack. Maastricht University confirmed that the …

Maastricht University (UM) announced ransomware infected almost all of its Windows systems on Monday, December 23. The university has been trying to recover from the attack since Tuesday, where offenders reportedly used ransomware, a method that encrypts files which are then only decrypted after a ransom is paid. On 5 February, the University of Maastricht gave explanation about the ransomware outbreak the university was affected by on 23 Dec 2019. Maastricht University in the Netherlands is trying to recover from a hard fall it took from a massive ransomware attack that hit them just two days before Christmas. Maastricht University has been hit by a "serious" cyber attack, the educational institution reports on its website. Maastricht University is an excellent university attended by over 18,000 students, roughly 4,400 employees, and 70,000 alumni. If we’ve learned anything from last year’s cyber attack, it is that a reliable digital network is vital. The university has worked hard to make the network more secure. After the attack, all Windows systems of the university went down. Fox-IT did research on this security incident and indicated that TA505 was behind the attack. We would like to inform you about the measures that have been implemented, but also about how each and every one of us can contribute to the cybersecurity of UM’s systems. On 23 December 2019, Maastricht University found itself the victim of a significant cyber attack, which resulted in cyber criminals taking some of its data hostage. Maastricht University in the Netherlands has taken all its IT systems offline as it attempts to recover from a devastating ransomware attack launched two days before Christmas. Maastricht University Suffered Ransomware Attack. The University later announced that the attack took down “almost all Windows systems” at the university and particularly affected the University’s email services. Maastricht University in the Netherlands said it was adversely affected by a "serious cyber attack." On December 23rd 2019, Maastricht University suffered a major cyber-attack, more specifically a ransomware attack. The attackers get in your network, stay there for weeks or months, map it all out so they know it better than you, then they remove volume shadow copies and encrypt everything they can find, which you hope doesn't include your back ups. A spokesperson was not immediately available for additional information on Tuesday afternoon. As initially disclosed via security notice, the university suffered a ‘serious cyber attack’ that halted the usual operations, especially e-mails. Maastricht University (UM) announced that almost all of its Windows systems have been encrypted by ransomware following a cyber-attack that took place on Monday, December 23. It is unclear what kind of attack it is. This was reported by well-informed sources at the UM. Reportedly, the Maastricht University (UM) has fallen prey to a ransomware attack. The ransomware encrypted all major software used by Maastricht University, making it impossible for students and staff members to access any university online services during the Christmas break.

In doing so, the key was obtained to make systems accessible again. Maastricht University, which was hit by a cyberattack just before Christmas, paid the ‘ransom’ to the hackers.