Category Archives: cybersecurity
Ransomware Dundee: A Report on Cyber Crime Down Under
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Taking advice from the internet and using it in real-life situations is not usually a lifehack that I would advise; that being said, I am here to offer a bit of advice. If you ever open your mailbox and find a USB flash drive, please do not insert said drive into your computer unless you know who put it there and why they didn’t just deliver it to you directly. This may seem like common sense to most people, but residents of a Melbourne, Australia suburb did not seem to possess this rudimentary level of technological knowledge.
Police in Pakenham, Australia are currently investigating reports from numerous residents that mysterious USB drives have been appearing in mailboxes throughout the community. When inserted into a computer, the flash drive runs a program offering a free Netflix subscription. Once the user initiates the process of signing up for the service, ransomware installs itself onto the machine. For those unfamiliar with the technology, ransomware has become a relatively common method of predatory cyber activity. Ransomware works by encrypting files stored on the user’s computer, then charging the user a fee to unlock their personal files. The ransomware forces the user to pay the fee in Bitcoin so there is no trace as to where the funds are going to or who is receiving them.
So far, only three residents have stepped forward and admitted to being duped into installing the application, though police believe that others have been impacted and are too embarrassed to step forward. Over the past few years, large-scale organizations have been impacted by ransomware and have paid extreme amounts of money to unlock their files. One of the more popular targets of ransomware purveyors are healthcare organizations. One prominent example of this is an attack earlier this year on the Kansas Heart Hospital. Ransomware forced the hospital to pay over $17,000 (miniscule compared to the original request of $3.4 million) to unlock patient and personnel files and then demanded a second payment to unlock the rest of the files that were still being held captive. Experts claim that the ransomware problem will “get worse before it gets better.”
As students, and as humans in general, we love free stuff. Next time you come across a free flash drive in your mailbox, take a second to think of the potential costs that this “free” piece of technology may bring on you. Personally, I’d much rather pay the $10 for a new flash drive than run the risk of obliterating my computer’s integrity for free.
Washington Center Seminar Presentation – Tuesday, September 13th
CIS and the Top Secret Colonials would like to invite you to a presentation from the students who attended the Washington Center Seminar this past summer on Tuesday, September 13th at 3:00 pm in the Wheatley Atrium. President Howard and several administrators will be present in support of the students. Following the student presentation, President Howard will introduce RMU’s first Presidential Leadership Fellow, Chris Davis who will present at 4:00 pm. Chris Davis worked with the students this past summer at The Washington Center and was one of their favorite presenters. You will find his impressive bio here: Chris Davis Biography. You will earn SET credit for the two presentations.
Snacks will be provided.
The Washington Center National Security Seminar 2016
Welcome back RMU students!
This past May, the Top Secret Colonials attended a two-week seminar at the Washington Center in Washington, DC. Students analyzed and researched various topics pertaining to cybersecurity. The seminar also included discussions with members of the CIA, DHS, FBI, and NSA.
Take a sneak peek at the Washington Center National Security Seminar from the eyes of those who have attended with this video: TWC National Seminar
There will also be a presentation on Tuesday, September 13th at 3pm in the Wheatley Atrium providing a more in-depth look at the seminar. We look forward to seeing you there!
National Cyber Forensics Training Alliance (NCFTA) seeking IT Support Specialist
The National Cyber Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA) brings public and private industry together to research and identify current and emerging cyber crime threats globally. “Our organization strives to achieve professional and technical excellence, build lasting professional relationships and make a difference in society. We hire employees who are passionate about what they do and we promote a culture of integrity and hard work.” For further information see http://www.ncfta.net.
As an IT Support Specialist, you will be the key contact for on-site and remote users for terminal problems and inquiries. You will be tasked with complying with all of the policies and procedures associated with IT Service Management. Departments will rely on you to help solve problems which are interfering with the timely completion of their work. You will ensure that help is given to these departments as quickly and efficiently as possible. The successful candidate will require an aptitude for working with applications/systems to undertake analysis, diagnosis and resolution of problems which may range from straightforward to more complicated technical issues.
Duties & Responsibilities:
• Provides immediate assistance and problem resolution for service inquiries concerning utilization and information regarding all staff computer system applications, telephony and personal computers and mobile devices.
• Must have Prior experience in a Help Desk or other customer focused technical support environment
• Proficient in operation of Windows OS and standard Windows applications including, but not limited to, MS Office Apps, Web Browsers, and other general productivity applications.
• Proficient in hardware troubleshooting and break/fix.
• Proficient in computer networking and connectivity troubleshooting techniques.
• Knowledge of higher-level Windows-based OS maintenance tasks, including Group Policy and Windows Update tasks.
• Document symptoms, troubleshooting steps, and ultimate resolution for all issues.
• Organize and manage a stock of computers, peripherals and other IT-related devices.
• Configure new equipment and reconfigure returned equipment for re-use.
• Experience training users on software and hardware on site and providing hands on technical assistance
• KACE System Management Experience a plus
Qualifications:
Position Requirements: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and pass a security clearance
• Prior experience in Help Desk or other customer focused technical support environment
• Able to pass a background check
• Strong communication and inter-personal skills
• Detail oriented and follow-up skills are a must
• Need to have the ability to work well in a team environment
• Desire to learn new technology and broaden existing technical base
Application Instructions:
Email resume to HumanResources@ncfta.net
We thank all interested but only those being considered will be contacted
CIS @ RMU 