Several institutions, including the University of Illinois, were recently targeted in a cyber attack that occurred on May 31. A Massmail sent by university executives confirmed that personal data belonging to students may have been obtained by an unauthorized party during the attack.
Furthermore, the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) informed the university about the breach and took immediate action to secure the compromised student data by shutting down access.
The unauthorized party exploited a vulnerability in a software product used for transferring data files, according to the email. NSC, a nonprofit organization serving 3,600 colleges and universities, plays a crucial role in student data reporting and exchange.
Although there is currently no evidence of fraudulent use, NSC continues to investigate the incident to ensure the security of the compromised information.
Additionally, individuals whose data was accessed will receive direct notifications from NSC, and the email also contained an FAQ section providing additional details about the breach and the role of NSC. The University of Illinois offered guidance on protecting against identity fraud, including suggestions to order free annual credit reports from major credit reporting companies and to contact the Federal Trade Commission for assistance.
This incident highlights the ongoing threat of cyber attacks on educational institutions and the importance of safeguarding personal data.
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