Ransomware attack on elite Bronx private school exposes students personal information
Sources close to the school tell News 12 it will not be paying the demand and it is working closely with law enforcement.
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A ransomware attack on Riverdale Country Private School has left students, faculty, and parents with their personal information exposed for all to access.
The group behind the attack, Ransomhub, was able to hack into the Fieldston school's database last month. The group then threatened to expose the information if their ransom demands were not met.
Sources close to the school tell News 12 it will not be paying the demand and it is working closely with law enforcement. The school says it has notified the families involved.
Cybersecurity experts say the school is doing the right thing by not paying the demand.
“There’s been studies that show that even when you do pay the ransom sometimes they don’t release the data," said Dr. Emmanuel Adu, CEO of Eretmis Inc.
But now that data, which includes biographical, contact and medical information, is available for all to see on the hackers site. As of March 9 the website shows more than 5,000 people viewed the school's data.
These cyberattacks are becoming more common.
“Every company, every institution might get hit at a point of time, it’s just a matter of time, everyone will experience that," said Dr. Adu.
