You will have noticed the high profile ransomware attack that has been in the news over the past few days. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-39915440)

Information Services are monitoring our systems and have the necessary precautions in place to minimise the risks from ransomware, however, staff and students should remain vigilant at all times.

In particular, please be suspicious of any emails received from unknown sources with attachments or links:

• Do not click on suspicious links
• Do not open email attachments
• Forward the email to abuse@hw.ac.uk
• Do not plug in unattended USB devices that are found

Typically ransomware will be hidden in emails that look like invoices for goods, communication from the tax office (HMRC) or your bank, requests to authenticate your accounts (confirm your user name and password) following an update etc.

If you use a machine that is not on the managed desktop please ensure that you

• Update all Anti-Virus
• Have a backup in place and that it is operational
• Use minimal user permissions where possible

Can we remind all users to log out from their machines at the end of the working day. Information Services apply updates and patches to managed machines overnight and some patches do not apply until a machine is restarted.

If you have not logged out and restarted your machine for a few days please do so.

See https://www.getsafeonline.org/protecting-yourself/ransomware/ for more information on protecting against ransomware.