By now, you have probably heard about the latest Ransomware attack that has affected over 200,000 devices in over 150 countries.

If you have a Windows computer and are running Windows 10, there is no evidence that this operating system has been targeted.  If you are running an older operating system (e.g., Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, 2008, Windows Vista) and have not updated the system regularly, you may be at risk.  If you are still running Windows XP, you probably are at risk, as that operating system is no longer generally supported by Microsoft (although a special Custom security update was recently provided by Microsoft to inoculate the XP and Server 2003 operating systems against the WannaCry Ransomware). This, however, was a special case!  If you are still using XP or 2003 you are still at risk from other unpatched vulnerabilities.  You should seriously consider replacing all XP and Server 2003 systems as soon as possible.

The Ransomware exploits a known vulnerability.  Microsoft issued a system update in March to block it, but not all users have taken advantage of the update.  Your Windows-based systems may be at risk.

You may want to:

• Update Windows systems with the Microsoft patch MS17-010
• Notify your employees and staff to be extra cautious right now – even clicking on a suspicious attachment could allow a ransomware attack
• Enable automatic updates from Microsoft
• Implement “Defense in Depth” (multiple layers of security) and air-gap mission-critical devices
• Review and evaluate your backup systems — remember that an attached external hard drive used for backup purposes can be compromised by a sophisticated Ransomware attack and encrypted

WARNING! Don’t click on the Google Docs e-mail you may have received this week!  Don’t go for the bait!! 
And tell your colleagues and friends not to click on it!
A very sophisticated and very convincing Google Docs phishing scheme is making its way around the internet.  You should avoid clicking on any weird Google Docs that have been emailed to you recently — even if it’s from someone you know!  The scam appears innocuous enough — it does not ask for your password. If you succumb to the temptation to click on the link, it asks for some access permissions to your Gmail account (which actual Google Docs links would not need), and then spams everyone in your contacts with a link to a Google Docs file. They, in turn, email everyone in their contacts, and so on. All of them seem to include the email address “hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh@mailinator.com.”!  Be careful!

IRELA was proud to sponsor “The Objections” band in the annual Lawyers Rock “Battle of the Bands” fundraising event held at Lincoln Hall in Chicago, and significant funds were raised to support the Illinois Bar Foundation and juvenile justice causes.

Pictured above are, from left to right, Don Dopka, Charlie Esquibel, Ken Naylor, Kristi Alsip, Ralph Schumann, Joe Bisceglia (MC for the evening), and IRELA’s own John O’Brien. Thanks to all who came out to support the event.

Thanks to Angela Garbot Photography (www.angelagarbot.com) for use of the photos.

IRELA has launched its new web site. Easier navigation, better readability, more resources.

Let us know what you think.

The D.C. Circuit federal appeals court vacated the prior three judge panel October 11, 2016, ruling on claims of PHH Corp. raised in a case challenging a CFPB enforcement action which had imposed a $109 million fine.  The D.C. Circuit had ruled that “unchecked power” given to the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is unconstitutional, and fashioned a remedy giving the president the power to supervise and remove the agency’s director.

On February 16, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit entered an order granting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) petition for rehearing en bancin the PHH Corporation, et al., v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau case. The court based its decision on amici curiae briefs supporting the petition, the United States’ response to the petition, the petitioners’ response to the petition, the petitioners’ supplemental response, and a majority of eligible judges’ vote in favor of the petition. The order vacates the panel’s October 2016 judgment, sets a briefing schedule, and sets May 24, 2017 as the date for oral argument.

UPDATE:  The United States Justice Department has requested 10 minutes of oral argument time.

The case is PHH Corporation v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

IRELA was happy to help sponsor this important program last November. Watch for information regarding the 2017 Harold I. Levine Real Estate Institute which will take place this coming November.

13th Annual Harold I. Levine Real Estate Institute

A Program for ATG, ATG Trust, and IRELA Members.

This popular program sells out every year!

Established in 2004, the Harold I. Levine Real Estate Institute brings together authorities in the real estate, trust, and estate planning arenas to discuss critical issues facing attorneys with the goal of enlightening them for the benefit of their clients, their practices, society, and the bar.

Plan to attend.