Monday 30 December 2019

Cyber attack against Maastricht University



On the night of 23 December, Maastricht University fell victim to a serious cyber-attack with the so-called Clop virus (ransomware). This made access to a lot of scientific data impossible. The e-mail system is down too, and the Student Portal and the library are offline. Exactly how this happened is now being investigated, says spokesman Gert van Doorn.

Riki Janssen - 26-Dec-2019 14:27

Riki Janssen - 24-dec-2019 14:35 (Dutch Version)

As far as we know, the hackers have not mentioned an amount yet. The rumour that bitcoins worth three hundred thousand have been demanded, Van Doorn refers to as a fairy-tale.

About 250 employees and students have contacted the university after the cyber-attack on the night of 23 December, using the special e-mail address info@m-u.nl set up for this purpose. The primary questions for them include: Which systems have been affected? How long will all this take? What about my data? Are my exam results safe?

Wammes Bos - 27-Dec-2019 20:30

UM reported the cybercrime to the police on 26 December. The police came to UM for this, states the spokesperson. He further confirms there are no worries about the digital connection between UM and  MUMC+, the academic hospital. "That wasn't affected", he says.


Riki Janssen - 28-Dec-2019 14:59


During the night of 23-24 December, Maastricht University was hit by Clop ransomware. About twenty-five people are working every day in two shifts to determine the extent of the cyberattack. It’s unclear how long this will take, says Fons Elbersen, UM’s new temporary spokesperson.

UM’s Executive Board met in Maastricht on 26 December and its deans and directors are receiving regular updates on the situation. One thing is clear: it will take some time for the situation to become clearer. “We’re talking about some five to six hundred IT systems, large and small, that may have been affected,” says Elbersen.

Maastricht University buildings will open on Thursday 2 January, no matter what, so even if the consequences of the cyber-attack have not yet been solved by then. Furthermore, ‘help lines’ (on faculty, central and service centre level) will be set up for students and staff who have questions.


Riki Janssen - 29-Dec-2019 15:51


Maastricht University (UM) has been hit by a serious cyber attack. Almost all Windows systems have been affected and it is particularly difficult to use e-mail services. UM is currently working on a solution. Extra security measures have been taken to protect (scientific) data. UM is investigating if the cyber attackers have had access to this data. It is unclear how much time UM needs to find a solution, but it will definitely take a while for the systems to be fully operational again.

All UM buildings are closed until Sunday, with the exception of the research labs at UNS 50.

Contact
Students and employees can contact the ICT Servicedesk with any questions: send an e-mail to info@m-u.nl with your private e-mail address or call 043 38 85 101 (on 27 December, during office hours).
Media can contact UM press officer Fons Elbersen: +31 6 53944500.


Student services bureau Jules bankrupt

MAASTRICHT. The Maastricht court of law declared student services bureau Jules bankrupt on Tuesday 17 December. Jules, set up more than ten years ago by Karin van der Ven, a Maastricht University alumna, mainly supported foreign students with services such as language courses, a removal service, and help with questions about insurance and tax