In a new report, the FBI recently identified an increase in PYSA ransomware targeting education institutions across the U.S. and United Kingdom.
PYSA, also known as Mespinoza, is malware capable of exfiltrating data and encrypting users’ critical files and data stored on their systems.
The unidentified cybercriminals use the PYSA software to steal data from grade schools, colleges and seminaries as leverage in eliciting ransom payments, the FBI reports.
The FBI does not encourage paying ransoms, because there is no guarantee to recover the stolen data. The agency urges victimized institutions to report the ransomware incidents to their local FBI field office or online.
For ways to reduce the risk of PYSA ransomware and other cyberattacks, see the FBI report.