BleepingComputer reports the Virginia-based Bluefield University had its RamAlert emergency broadcast system taken over by the AvosLocker ransomware operation, also known as Avos, after disclosing that it had been impacted by a cyberattack.
Bluefield University students and staff were notified on April 30 regarding a cyberattack on the University's IT systems that resulted in the postponement of all examinations.
While Bluefield University had noted that no financial fraud or identity theft was involved in the incident, AvosLocker attackers on May 1 leveraged the University's RamAlert system to deliver email and text alerts stating that they were able to steal 1.2 TB of files, including thousands of students' admissions data.
Aside from threatening the release of all stolen data should the University refuse payment, AvosLocker has also urged recipients of the messages to inform local news outlets regarding the incident, before publishing the University President's W-2 Tax Form and an insurance policy-related document.
