Whether it was a targeted hacker attack that paralyzed the University of Giessen, or a random infection with malware, is still unclear. After a "serious IT security incident", however, their servers had been shut down for security reasons, the Central Hessian university announced on Monday.
The problem has already occurred on Sunday afternoon, they say. Neither the Internet, e-mail systems nor internal networks could be used. The State Office of Criminal Investigation and the Attorney General Frankfurt am Main were turned on. The university wants to report. A preliminary investigation against Unbekannt had already been initiated, said the Attorney General.
The university did not give any further details: "For the exact cause of the IT problems can [...] currently no information be made." When the systems can boot up again and go online was initially unclear.
Together with external IT experts, the extent of the damage is to be clarified in the next few days. The university released a replacement website on Monday to bridge the gap. The teaching and research operations will continue as planned, it said.