The Fowler Elementary School District in Phoenix, Arizona, was targeted by the Interlock ransomware group. The cyberattack allegedly resulted in the exfiltration of around 400 gigabytes of sensitive data, including student, employee, and administrative information. Interlock posted about the breach on their blog within the Tor network, claiming to have accessed a variety of highly confidential records. These included personal identification details, medical records, payroll data, and Social Security Numbers (SSNs), all of which pose significant risks to privacy and security.
Founded in 1895, the Fowler Elementary School District is one of the oldest public school systems in the Phoenix area.
Serving approximately 4,000 students across seven schools, the district has built a strong reputation for its commitment to educational equity. With over 400 employees, FESD plays a critical role in its community, and a breach of this magnitude could severely damage the trust the public has placed in the district.
The attack not only threatens to expose personal information but also to undermine the district’s standing as a reliable educational institution.
The cybercriminals behind the attack have provided what they claim are “proof of leak” images, showcasing compromised files, although their authenticity has not been verified. Additionally, the group released a list of over 60,000 lines detailing the directory structure of the extracted data. If the attackers’ claims are true, the exposure of such personal data could lead to identity theft, fraud, or even extortion attempts against affected individuals. However, the district has not publicly commented on the attack, leaving the community in the dark about how it is being handled.
The Fowler Elementary School District’s lack of an official response raises questions about the situation’s management and potential consequences. With no ransom demand disclosed, it remains unclear whether the attackers intend to sell or publicly release the data. This incident highlights the growing vulnerability of U.S. school districts to ransomware attacks, especially given limited resources for cybersecurity. The increasing frequency of such breaches calls attention to the need for better security practices and infrastructure investments in educational institutions.
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