Tag: Local | Page 2

Hinsdale schools struck by ransomware attack | Local News

December 9, 2023/in Internet Security

HINSDALE, N.H. — The Hinsdale school district is attempting to recover from a ransomware attack that occurred on Thursday morning.

“School district officials are working with Primex, its cyber insurance provider, and a professional cybersecurity response team to assess the situation,” states information release by SAU 29 Superintendent David Ryan.

In order to support the response team with its forensics evaluation, he wrote, the school district has collected all laptops from students and staff.

“Our schools are operating and staff and students are approaching the school day without technology in valiant”We are working to restore the technology for main office administrative functions first, followed by instructional functions, and we look forward to that happening in the coming days. Our technology director, Justin Therieau, and his staff have responded quite well and are to be commended for their exhaustive efforts thus far, and we thank our cyber response partners for their guidance and partnership.”

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Bill from Illinois Democrat seeks to bridge digital divide through free wifi in local parks

December 1, 2023/in Internet Security

A Democratic congressman announced legislation this week that aims to use multiple federal government programs to bring broadband internet and computers to local parks across the country, bridging the digital divide in underserved communities by providing free internet services.

The Technology in the Parks Act of 2023, introduced by Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., aims to boost innovation, increase technology training and decrease inequality through multiple relevant internet programs.

“I believe that this legislation aligns with the nation’s commitment to fostering innovation, education, and community development,” Davis said in a statement. “This legislation, once passed, will contribute to building a more technologically inclusive society, ensuring that the benefits of advancements reach all corners of our community.”

The bill proposes an expansion of the Federal Communications Commission’s E-rates internet program to include local parks, which Davis said is key to bringing broadband access to outdoor community spaces, similar to the existing coverage for schools and libraries.

The FCC’s E-rate program helps schools and libraries across the country gain access to affordable broadband internet and is the government’s largest educational technology program.

The legislation would include local parks in the U.S. General Services Computers for Learning Program, providing access to computer equipment that federal agencies have identified as excess property and enabling technological advancements and digital literacy in those areas.

The third piece of the legislation would require the Labor Department to establish a program to offer grants for technology training programs in local parks, supporting skill development and ensuring that local parks that host such programs are eligible for E-Rate support.

The legislation “is a crucial step in bridging the technological divide and promoting education and skill development in our communities,” Davis said. “By extending E-Rate support to local parks, we empower these spaces to become hubs for technology training, creating opportunities for skill acquisition in areas such as coding, cyber…

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Local expert tells how to keep your computer and personal information safe

November 30, 2023/in Computer Security

The bad guys may seem like they’re winning, but with time and effort you can protect yourself, your family, your money and your computer and smartphone from attack by hackers, scammers and other cybercriminals.

That was the message of Jim Rome, webmaster for several local nonprofit organizations who spent the latter part of his career at Oak Ridge National Laboratory providing computer security for classified systems. He delivered his message most recently to Friends of ORNL.

Jim Rome tells Friends of Oak Ridge National Laboratory what he does to stay as safe as he can on the internet.

He mentioned that recently the city of Oak Ridge had been a victim of a “denial of services” malware attack, causing network issues and making its business side unable to process utility payments for days.

Malware, short for malicious software, is a set of computer programs created by cybercriminals that can steal data from and damage or destroy computers and computer systems. It includes viruses, spyware and ransomware – software designed to block access to an individual’s personal data or a company or organization’s computer system until a sum of money (ransom) is paid.

Rome said that the global cost of cybercrime was estimated at more than $7 trillion dollars in 2022. In the first half of 2022, more than 50 million Americans had been affected by cybercrimes, the highest rate of data breaches in the world. The nations that have the most dangerous cybercriminals include China, Russia, Taiwan, India, Brazil and the United States, according to one source.

Rome cited two recent computer attacks that have affected corporations and customers. One cyberattack disrupted operations of the cleaning products maker Clorox, reducing the availability of the company’s products and slashing its quarterly earnings and stock value by 20%.

In September, a cyberattack at MGM Resorts International, he added, caused widespread disruption on the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel and casino giant had to require manual check-ins and the use of physical key cards so guests could access their rooms.

Potential…

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