Cyber Security (Ransomware) Threat

Cyber Security (Ransomware) Threat – Things you can do to protect COB infrastructure:

 What is Ransomware:

It is a type of malware that prevents or limits users from accessing their system, either by locking the system's screen or by locking the users' files unless a ransom is paid.

 Today over 74 countries and about 45,000 locations have been affected by massive Ransomware attacks. These attacks have resulted thousands of individuals and businesses paying to have files and data. Affected machines have six hours to pay up and every few hours the ransom goes up should this occur to you are the city’s computer systems.

 We are doing everything we can from IMS to protect our infrastructure, however we do need your help to safeguard our infrastructure and assets and also your personal devices at home.

 Here is what you can do to protect both your computer and the systems here in the City of Birmingham: 

• Make sure that you reboot your desk computer so that the fix from Microsoft can be applied. 

• Please be mindful and cautious before you bring your personal computer and try to connect to COB network. Make sure your personal computer has current Microsoft updates and virus protection that is up to date. 

• It is very important that any devices brought to the city be up to date so as not to affect daily operations of critical systems used to run in the City if Birmingham. 

If you do not have virus protection on your personal computer please go to this site to get a free version for your computer.  http://www.avg.com/us-en/download