Ransomware Attacks On The Rise In Cape May County: Prosecutor

There has been an increase in Ransomware, cyber attacks, particularly against government organizations, in Cape May County, Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor said this week. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that infects a computer and restricts users’ access to it until payment or "ransom" is made to unlock it.

In a Ransomware attack, users will open an email and click on an attachment that appears legitimate, but it actually contains Ransomware. The e-mail might contain an authentic looking link, but when a user opens it, they are directed to a different site that infects their computer or device.

The prosecutor’s office warned that one example of an attack it recently uncovered involved a fraudulent UPS link that launched Ransomware. This fraudulent link is normally one digit or character off from a legitimate UPS link.

Victims may be unaware that they have been infected, but once the attack begins, the files on that computer, attached devices, or any other computers on the same network become encrypted. Eventually, the victim loses access to their information. They then receive messages demanding a ransom payment in exchange for a decryption key.

• Updating your systems to include all of the latest patches;
• Do not open unknown links or files in emails;
• Back up your data to prevent possible loss of your information;
• Keep antivirus software active and up to date; and
• If you are a business owner, make sure employees are aware of Ransomware and of their roles in protecting the organization’s data.

The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office is actively investigating cases of Ransomware and will work with state and federal cyber security professionals in order to share information on these attacks.

Taylor urges any individuals or organizations that have information regarding Ransomware attacks to report the information to the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office at 609-465-1135 or anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip or the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-465- 2800.