There's no evidence that any information has been accessed

Aug 16, 2013 08:26 GMT  ·  By

On July 23, 2013, Ferris State University identified a piece of malware on the computer that’s used to operate the institution’s website. 

According to the breach report submitted by the university to the Vermont Attorney General, the malware had the technical ability to access the contents of certain computer files.

The computer forensics company hired by Ferris State has not found any evidence that the hackers actually accessed any data from the web server. However, the university cannot conclusively rule out that the attackers have accessed sensitive information.

A notice posted on the university’s website reveals that a total of around 39,000 individuals whose social security numbers are stored on the compromised computers are being alerted, and offered one year of free credit monitoring.

In addition, 19,000 current, former and prospective students are being notified since their names and campus wide student ID numbers could be found on the hacked computer.