12/13/2017

Hackers Are Now Threatening Schools Across the U.S.

These threats have lasting consequences

The latest cyberthreat is now targeting the vulnerable student population of public schools. Threats of violence, shaming, and bullying, which police say are empty threats, are the specified consequences of not paying a ransom to hackers capable of releasing private records. Although the threat may not be real, it is still terrifying to parents and children receiving texts that indicate their school records will be used against them.

Why is this happening?
The Department of Education states that data security in targeted schools is weak, and well-known vulnerabilities are allowing hackers to gain access to sensitive data. However, the amount of sensitive information that schools hold is staggering, and with very few cybersecurity protocols in place, there is an increased risk of cyberattacks. Schools remain an enticing target to hackers because there is also potential to tap into connected government systems.

These threats have lasting consequences.
Accessing student personal data is of high concern, because that information can be exploited for years without students’ knowledge of an incident. Students targeted could potentially reach adulthood realizing that they have poor credit due to false applications, or that crimes may have been committed using their personal information. None of those potential victims will have paid a ransom or suffered other repercussions.

Please click here to read the complete article from thinkCSC.