A hacker published documents containing Social Security numbers, student grades and other private information stolen from a large public-school district in Las Vegas after officials refused a ransom demanded in return for unlocking district computer servers. The release of the district’s information is being reported for the first time by The Wall Street Journal. Hackers have attacked school districts and other institutions with sensitive information even before the pandemic, typically blocking users’ access to their own computer systems unless a ransom is paid. In those instances, the so-called ransomware crippled the district’s operations but hackers didn’t usually expose damaging information about students or employees. Consultants often advise districts that hackers generally have a good record of releasing control of the servers upon payment to entice others to pay in the future.

Source: Wall Street Journal September 28, 2020 13:02 UTC