Hackers Hit Duke Law School Site
Computer hackers broke into a website at Duke University School of Law, and may have stolen social security numbers and other confidential information for as many as 1,400 or more prospective and actual applicants.
The security breach is still being investigated, but a law school spokeswoman says officials “have some ideas” about who is responsible, according to the Chronicle, an independent campus daily newspaper.
While the full scope of the hack attack isn’t yet clear, and the exact number of prospective and actual applicants affected by it is still being determined, confidential information about faculty, alumni and employees reportedly was stored elsewhere and has not been accessed. It isn’t certain that any confidential information was taken, but the law school has notified prospects and applicants who might be affected and offered them credit monitoring and special phone and e-mail access to Duke officials to report any issues.
The law school website was taken down for several days, after the breach was discovered on Nov. 29.
“Duke University works hard to protect the personal information of prospective students and other community members,” wrote William Hoye, a law school associate dean of admissions, in an e-mail to those who may be affected. “We are taking all possible steps to address this breach and prevent it from happening again.”
