Data breach at Newcastle University after cybercrime attack

Newcastle University has experienced a data breach after being a target of a recent cybercrime attack by the group ExfilSquad. 

According to Computing UK, the cybercrime group has claimed to have stolen around 440,000 records from the university. This was part of a globally reaching cyber attack confirmed on July 26th. The attack is said to have targeted 15 organisations in a single day, as well as stealing data from the Department for Education and the police’s national legal database.

Newcastle University has confirmed it was targeted in a statement admitting the attack was able to take advantage of a technical vulnerability. Although monitoring for suspicious activity is ongoing, the university has assured that unauthorised access has now been removed. 

The investigation began after being alerted of the breach on the morning of July 27th.

The university found a configuration issue in a connection to one of its admissions systems allowing the attackers to access to some contact information, including names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. 

While investigations continue, the university is confident that there has been no broader effect on its systems, and that stolen information does not contain any admissions-related or exam-results data. 

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However, there remains a risk that personally identifiable information and exposed contact information could be valuable for criminals looking to scam or carry out phishing. 

With access to names, addresses and phone numbers, fraudulent contact is likely to appear more credible and could occur on a wider scale than usual. 

The university has assured students that no action needs to be taken, but reminds all whose data may have been affected of the potential risks of deceptive messages.  

For official guidance on how to spot and report scams, Newcastle University recommends consulting the National Cyber Security Center advice page. 

Featured image: Pixabay

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