This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-49081056
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Lancaster University students' data stolen by cyber-thieves | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Students' personal data has been stolen in a "sophisticated and malicious" phishing attack at Lancaster University. | Students' personal data has been stolen in a "sophisticated and malicious" phishing attack at Lancaster University. |
Officials said the information had been used to send bogus invoices to applicants. | Officials said the information had been used to send bogus invoices to applicants. |
"A very small number" of student records, phone numbers and ID documents were also accessed, it said. | "A very small number" of student records, phone numbers and ID documents were also accessed, it said. |
The breach has been reported to police and the Information Commissioner's Office. | The breach has been reported to police and the Information Commissioner's Office. |
In a statement, the university said it became aware of a breach on Friday and has been working to secure its systems. | In a statement, the university said it became aware of a breach on Friday and has been working to secure its systems. |
It said the data includes names, addresses, phone numbers and emails, related to students who had applied to join the university in 2019 and 2020. | It said the data includes names, addresses, phone numbers and emails, related to students who had applied to join the university in 2019 and 2020. |
"We are aware that fraudulent invoices are being sent to some undergraduate applicants," it said. | "We are aware that fraudulent invoices are being sent to some undergraduate applicants," it said. |
"At the present time, we know of a very small number of students who have had their record and ID documents accessed." | "At the present time, we know of a very small number of students who have had their record and ID documents accessed." |
It said the affected students would be contacted with advice. | It said the affected students would be contacted with advice. |
Phishing involves attempts to trick web users into handing over sensitive information. | Phishing involves attempts to trick web users into handing over sensitive information. |