** Virus Alert **
<div> <b>CryptoLocker Ransomeware at ODU</b></div> <div> </div> <div> The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) has issued an advisory concerning CryptoLocker Ransomeware Infections in which documents on the computer and on the user’s home drive and shared drives become encrypted and unrecoverable ( <a href="http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-309A">http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA13-309A </a>).</div> <div> </div> <div> In the past three months two computers at ODU have been infected with this malware. Since that time we have taken a number of steps to protect computers on our network. However, nothing can replace the use of safe computing practices by our computer users.</div> <div> </div> <div> US-Cert, and the ODU IT Security Office recommend these preventative measures to protect your computer from this and other infections:</div> <ul> <li> Maintain current security patches (ITS managed workstations are patched routinely)</li> <li> Maintain current McAfee anti-virus definitions (ITS managed workstations maintain current A\V definitions)</li> <li> Backup important data to an offline repository. (Home and shared folders are backed up to an offline repository).</li> <li> Do not follow unsolicited web links in email messages or submit any information to webpages in link</li> <li> Use caution when opening email attachments. Refer to the Security Tip “Using Caution with Email Attachments” ( <a href="http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/st04-010">http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/st04-010 </a>)</li> <li> Refer to the “Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams” document ( <a href="http://www.us-cert.gov/sites/default/files/publications/emailscams_0905.pdf">http://www.us-cert.gov/sites/default/files/publications/emailscams_0905.pdf </a>)</li> <li> Refer to the Security Tip “Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks” ( <a href="http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/st04-01">http://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/st04-01</a>4 )</li> </ul> <div> </div> <div> If you think your computer is infected, you can call the ITS Help Desk at 683-3192, email at <a href="mailto:itshelp@odu.edu">itshelp@odu.edu</a>, or fill out an online incident report at <a href="http://occs.odu.edu/security/incident/form/">http://occs.odu.edu/security/incident/form/ </a>.</div>
Posted By: Scott Harrison
Date: Thu Nov 21 08:23:39 EST 2013