U of MN Data Breach: What & How It Happened?
Twingate Team
•
Jun 28, 2024
In 2021, the University of Minnesota experienced a data breach that came to light in July 2023. Unauthorized access to a university database led to the potential compromise of private information for individuals who had submitted information as prospective students, attended the university, worked there, or participated in university programs between 1989 and August 2021. In response, the university initiated an investigation, engaged forensic professionals, and took steps to bolster its overall system security.
How many accounts were compromised?
The breach impacted data related to an unspecified number of individuals who had interactions with the University of Minnesota between 1989 and August 2021.
What data was leaked?
The data exposed in the breach included names, contact information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, high school and high school grade information, standardized test scores, demographic information, family income, student and employee ID numbers, classes, grades, insurance policy numbers, loan data, degree, diploma year, driver's license or identification card, and payroll information.
How was U of MN hacked?
Based on the limited information available, it appears that the breach at the University of Minnesota occurred when an unauthorized individual gained access to a university database in 2021. The specific methods used by the hackers remain unclear, as does the presence of any malware on the university's servers.
U of MN's solution
In response to the data breach, the University of Minnesota implemented several enhanced security measures to protect its systems and prevent future incidents. These measures included increasing data access control measures, reducing the number of people authorized to access sensitive information, expanding multi-factor authentication and other security measures, and increasing monitoring for suspicious activities. The university also initiated an investigation, engaged forensic professionals, and cooperated with law enforcement and regulatory officials to ensure the security of their electronic systems. Potentially affected individuals were offered 12 months of free credit and identity monitoring services as a precaution.
How do I know if I was affected?
The University of Minnesota reached out to affected individuals and offered them 12 months of free credit and identity monitoring services. If you believe you may have been affected by the breach but have not received a notification, you can visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.
What should affected users do?
In general, affected users should:
Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised. Make sure the new passwords are strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.
Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on any affected accounts. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Monitor Your Credit and Identity: Keep an eye on your credit reports and financial accounts for any suspicious activity. Consider signing up for credit monitoring or identity theft protection services.
For more specific help and instructions related to the University of Minnesota's data breach, please contact U of MN's support directly.
Where can I go to learn more?
If you want to find more information on the U of MN data breach, check out the following news articles:
Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.
U of MN Data Breach: What & How It Happened?
Twingate Team
•
Jun 28, 2024
In 2021, the University of Minnesota experienced a data breach that came to light in July 2023. Unauthorized access to a university database led to the potential compromise of private information for individuals who had submitted information as prospective students, attended the university, worked there, or participated in university programs between 1989 and August 2021. In response, the university initiated an investigation, engaged forensic professionals, and took steps to bolster its overall system security.
How many accounts were compromised?
The breach impacted data related to an unspecified number of individuals who had interactions with the University of Minnesota between 1989 and August 2021.
What data was leaked?
The data exposed in the breach included names, contact information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, high school and high school grade information, standardized test scores, demographic information, family income, student and employee ID numbers, classes, grades, insurance policy numbers, loan data, degree, diploma year, driver's license or identification card, and payroll information.
How was U of MN hacked?
Based on the limited information available, it appears that the breach at the University of Minnesota occurred when an unauthorized individual gained access to a university database in 2021. The specific methods used by the hackers remain unclear, as does the presence of any malware on the university's servers.
U of MN's solution
In response to the data breach, the University of Minnesota implemented several enhanced security measures to protect its systems and prevent future incidents. These measures included increasing data access control measures, reducing the number of people authorized to access sensitive information, expanding multi-factor authentication and other security measures, and increasing monitoring for suspicious activities. The university also initiated an investigation, engaged forensic professionals, and cooperated with law enforcement and regulatory officials to ensure the security of their electronic systems. Potentially affected individuals were offered 12 months of free credit and identity monitoring services as a precaution.
How do I know if I was affected?
The University of Minnesota reached out to affected individuals and offered them 12 months of free credit and identity monitoring services. If you believe you may have been affected by the breach but have not received a notification, you can visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.
What should affected users do?
In general, affected users should:
Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised. Make sure the new passwords are strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.
Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on any affected accounts. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Monitor Your Credit and Identity: Keep an eye on your credit reports and financial accounts for any suspicious activity. Consider signing up for credit monitoring or identity theft protection services.
For more specific help and instructions related to the University of Minnesota's data breach, please contact U of MN's support directly.
Where can I go to learn more?
If you want to find more information on the U of MN data breach, check out the following news articles:
Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.
U of MN Data Breach: What & How It Happened?
Twingate Team
•
Jun 28, 2024
In 2021, the University of Minnesota experienced a data breach that came to light in July 2023. Unauthorized access to a university database led to the potential compromise of private information for individuals who had submitted information as prospective students, attended the university, worked there, or participated in university programs between 1989 and August 2021. In response, the university initiated an investigation, engaged forensic professionals, and took steps to bolster its overall system security.
How many accounts were compromised?
The breach impacted data related to an unspecified number of individuals who had interactions with the University of Minnesota between 1989 and August 2021.
What data was leaked?
The data exposed in the breach included names, contact information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, high school and high school grade information, standardized test scores, demographic information, family income, student and employee ID numbers, classes, grades, insurance policy numbers, loan data, degree, diploma year, driver's license or identification card, and payroll information.
How was U of MN hacked?
Based on the limited information available, it appears that the breach at the University of Minnesota occurred when an unauthorized individual gained access to a university database in 2021. The specific methods used by the hackers remain unclear, as does the presence of any malware on the university's servers.
U of MN's solution
In response to the data breach, the University of Minnesota implemented several enhanced security measures to protect its systems and prevent future incidents. These measures included increasing data access control measures, reducing the number of people authorized to access sensitive information, expanding multi-factor authentication and other security measures, and increasing monitoring for suspicious activities. The university also initiated an investigation, engaged forensic professionals, and cooperated with law enforcement and regulatory officials to ensure the security of their electronic systems. Potentially affected individuals were offered 12 months of free credit and identity monitoring services as a precaution.
How do I know if I was affected?
The University of Minnesota reached out to affected individuals and offered them 12 months of free credit and identity monitoring services. If you believe you may have been affected by the breach but have not received a notification, you can visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.
What should affected users do?
In general, affected users should:
Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised. Make sure the new passwords are strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.
Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on any affected accounts. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Monitor Your Credit and Identity: Keep an eye on your credit reports and financial accounts for any suspicious activity. Consider signing up for credit monitoring or identity theft protection services.
For more specific help and instructions related to the University of Minnesota's data breach, please contact U of MN's support directly.
Where can I go to learn more?
If you want to find more information on the U of MN data breach, check out the following news articles:
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