A university in BC was on the receiving end of a data breach, with the personal information of its more than 15,000 students at risk of exploitation.
A hacker, who claims responsibility for the cyberattack, has held the data at ransom, demanding the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) in Abbotsford pay $30,000 or risk having the stolen data leaked to the public.
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While it is unclear how much information the hacker (or group of hackers) made off with following the breach, the perpetrator sent every student an email containing the personal information of 29 of their classmates, proving that the hack was real.
It is believed that the hacker managed to gain access to data such as student birth names, physical addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, grades and limited financial details.
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According to a release, the university has contacted the students whose information was leaked and is working with the authorities, an external investigator, and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC.
“UFV takes the responsibility of protecting the privacy of our employees and students very seriously,” a statement from the university read. “We regret that this has occurred and we are working to ensure these systems are secure and the impacted students receive the support and resources they require today and going forward.”
Const. Ian MacDonald told
Vancouver Sun that computer forensic experts within the Abbotsford police department’s major crime unit are on the case.
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