Malware infection of University of Calgary computers partly fixed

by CBC News (feat. Tom Keenan)

CBC
May 30, 2016

IT teams at the University of Calgary have succeeded in partly eradicating a malware attack that had officials warning students and staff not to use any school-issued computers Monday morning. 

The malware is still affecting the school's exchange email, Skype for Business, secure wireless and Active Directory systems.

"Major progress has been made towards resolving current systems issues caused by malware, which is software intended to damage or disable computers and computer systems," the U of C said in a release.

The school's wireless network and Office 365 email systems are now operational. Exchange email and Skype for Business remain impacted, the school says. 

"It is now safe to use UCalgary-issued computers to access available UCalgary networks and applications," officials said in a release. "There are a number of users who remain impacted by the malware and they will not be able to access any UCalgary systems."

Teams have been working non-stop to resolve the situation since it was first detected.

"It points out that anybody can be vulnerable. I don't know how they got infected or how the malware got in there, but it's a good lesson to everybody to be very, very skeptical if somebody tells you to download a file or click on a link or go to this webpage," said U of C professor and cyber-security specialist Tom Keenan.

"If you don't recognize it, you shouldn't be doing that."

The U of C says employees should report to work and classes are continuing as scheduled.