Western University of Illinois Hacked

A security breach in the University of Illinois networks has put more than 180.000 persons at risk. The hackers had access to Social Security numbers, credit card accounts numbers and other sensitive and confidential information that were hosted on the student service servers. Following the attack, University's representatives have started to inform all the people in its data base of the possible compromise of their confidential information.

"The breach occurred on June 5 through our electronic student services system servers. They do frequent checks on their system and discovered the breach within hours after it occurred," said Darcie Shinberger, a spokeswoman for Western Illinois University.

The hackers can exploit information that affects alumni, students and visitors, meaning all people that have engaged in financial transactions with the University from 1980 to the present day. On the hacked servers the Western's electronic student services system was hosted. Trough it, the University managed its admissions Web site, financial aid, bookstore and hotel.

All that the University can do at this time is to inform all those affected by the hack, and advise them on a course of action that will lead to the apprehension of the hackers in the eventuality that they profit from the stolen data. But centering data from over 180.000 people may prove to be difficult enough that hackers may indulge in identity theft and financial gain without being discovered.

"We have never had anything of this magnitude. This is a first for us," Shinberger said. "There are always risks when doing business online."