Dutch University Gets Cyber Ransom Money Back, With Interest

The southern Maastricht University in 2019 was hit by a large cyberattack.

Dutch University Gets Cyber Ransom Money Back, With Interest

Photo Credit: Pexels/ Sora Shizamaki

Criminals had reportedly encrypted hundreds of Windows servers and backup systems

Highlights
  • The southern Maastricht University was hit by a cyberattack in 2019
  • Criminals used ransomware to lock data
  • Hackers demanded EUR 200,000 in Bitcoins
Advertisement

A Dutch university that fell victim to a massive ransomware attack has partly received back its stolen money... which in the meantime more than doubled in value, a news report said on Saturday.

The southern Maastricht University in 2019 was hit by a large cyberattack in which criminals used ransomware, a type of malicious software that locks valuable data and can only be accessed once the victim pays a ransom amount.

"The criminals had encrypted hundreds of Windows servers and backup systems, preventing 25,000 students and employees from accessing scientific data, library and mail," the daily De Volkskrant said.

The hackers demanded EUR 200,000 (roughly Rs.1.6 crore) in Bitcoins.

"After a week the university decide to accede to the criminal gang's demand," the paper said.

"This was partly because personal data was in danger of being lost and students were unable to take an exam or work on their theses," it said.

Dutch police traced part of the ransom paid to an account belonging to a money launderer in Ukraine.

Prosecutors in 2020 seized this man's account, which contained a number of different cryptocurrencies including part of the ransom money paid by Maastricht.

"When, now after more than two years, it was finally possible to get that money to the Netherlands, the value had increased from 40,000 euros to half-a-million euros," the paper said.

Maastricht University will now get the EUR 500,000 (roughly Rs. 4.1 crore) back.

"This money will not go to a general fund, but into a fund to help financially strapped students," Maastricht University ICT director Michiel Borgers said.

The investigation into the hackers responsible for the attack on the university is still ongoing, De Volkskrant added.


Is Poco F4 5G a new best-of contender under Rs. 30,000? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: cyberattack, Cryptocurrency
Nothing Phone 1 Case Leaked, Tipping Design; Pre-Order Pass for Rs. 2,000 Listed on Flipkart
Share on Facebook Gadgets360 Twitter Share Tweet Snapchat Share Reddit Comment google-newsGoogle News

Advertisement

Follow Us

Advertisement

© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2024. All rights reserved.
Trending Products »
Latest Tech News »