Hays schools hacked with ransomware – Tiger Media Network
Hays schools hacked with ransomware
tmnstaff February 17, 2022 Cyber Attackhays highHays USD 489RansomwareUSD 489
BY PRESTON BURROWS
On Thursday, Hays USD 489 experienced a cyberattack on its systems with ransomware. This type of cyberattack locks users out of their systems and only returns access once the requested ransom is paid.
Many systems used by the school for everyday activities, such as Canvas, the Hays High School website and printers, were down.
On Tuesday, the district reached out to the parents of students to explain the situation via email and text message.
“Late last week, the district experienced a disruption to some of our network systems. As soon as we learned of this, we immediately engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to help investigate, resolve the disruption, and take steps to prevent something similar from happening in the future. Classes have continued for our students and staff, but some of our services have been temporarily disrupted. Progress has been made, and some services have been restored. Please know we are working to resolve this matter as quickly as we can, and we will update you as more information becomes available. Thank you for your patience as we continue to work through this.”
The high school’s website, Www.hayshighindians.com, is still being worked on as individuals trying to reach the site are blocked with a message of: “You do not have permission to view this directory or page,” or “The resource you are looking for has been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.”
Scott Summers, USD 489’s technology director, said he could not share more than the information already provided by the district because of the ongoing investigation of the cyberattack.
“There’s not much else I can say other than what was released (Tuesday) because of where it is at in the investigation,” Summers said. “I wish I could tell you something, but that is what my hands are tied with.”
Tiger Media Network reached out to Superintendent Ron Wilson’s office but could not get in touch for a comment.
tmnstaff February 17, 2022 Cyber Attackhays highHays USD 489RansomwareUSD 489
BY PRESTON BURROWS
On Thursday, Hays USD 489 experienced a cyberattack on its systems with ransomware. This type of cyberattack locks users out of their systems and only returns access once the requested ransom is paid.
Many systems used by the school for everyday activities, such as Canvas, the Hays High School website and printers, were down.
On Tuesday, the district reached out to the parents of students to explain the situation via email and text message.
“Late last week, the district experienced a disruption to some of our network systems. As soon as we learned of this, we immediately engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to help investigate, resolve the disruption, and take steps to prevent something similar from happening in the future. Classes have continued for our students and staff, but some of our services have been temporarily disrupted. Progress has been made, and some services have been restored. Please know we are working to resolve this matter as quickly as we can, and we will update you as more information becomes available. Thank you for your patience as we continue to work through this.”
The high school’s website, Www.hayshighindians.com, is still being worked on as individuals trying to reach the site are blocked with a message of: “You do not have permission to view this directory or page,” or “The resource you are looking for has been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.”
Scott Summers, USD 489’s technology director, said he could not share more than the information already provided by the district because of the ongoing investigation of the cyberattack.
“There’s not much else I can say other than what was released (Tuesday) because of where it is at in the investigation,” Summers said. “I wish I could tell you something, but that is what my hands are tied with.”
Tiger Media Network reached out to Superintendent Ron Wilson’s office but could not get in touch for a comment.
