Greenwich’s online database has been hacked by expelled student

The University of Greenwich’s system has been hacked for the second time this year by a “disgruntled” former student.

Greenwich’s online databases have been accessed by an unauthorised personal for the second time in five months. Firstly in February where hundreds of research student’s personal details including health and family records had been published online. Now again in June, where seemingly the same details have been leaked again this time on a greater scale affecting both current, graduated and recent applicants to Greenwich.

The latest attack has been attributed to a disgruntled ex-student who gained access to the data via the Greenwich website and uploaded the details to the “dark web”. The breach is said to have affected the Architecture, Computing and Humanities faculties.

The information uploaded includes coursework grades, feedback as well as the personal information to which the damage is yet unknown. Emails and phone numbers has been compromised with many students being subject to phishing messages via SMS.

One student said, “I received a text asking me to log into my PayPal account, I do not own an account so knew it was dodgy right away.”

Another on the presence of cold-calls: “I have been receiving calls from unknown numbers ever since I enrolled at Greenwich, this deeply worries me.”

The hacker not only stole the data and shared it with the world, but posted a message to the University on the website home page, accompanied by a picture of Spongebob Squarepants character, Squidward. On the page they outline why they acted out against the students of Greenwich. Some students saw the funny side to the hackers audacity.

The page said: “Due to my elite skills and e-fame, you guys decided to kick me out of University because you couldn’t handle the beast. In response to this, I’ve used the skills I’ve obtained to show you how good I actually am. Please let me come back? :(“.

All students and members of staff had been emailed about the leak and to assure them that the matter is being investigated. Meanwhile those affected have been told they will be contacted directly. In addition to this the university secretary has warned everyone not to click on links in emails or messages. With this outbreak, many more students are likely to fall under the category of “disgruntled” and await further assurance that this wont happen again.

One student said: “For me, the only potentially worrying data stolen is medical and counselling notes, which are confidential for a reason. I would think that a breach like that would possibly worry a few of the prospective first year students. I think electronically this university needs to step up its game, the basics of an educational facility need to met.”

However, some students are less worried than others, with sarcastic mutters of “Now the whole world will know of my hayfever”. With worries over data security, prospective students are right to feel apprehensive, but for now we all wait to see what the university plan to do in order to prevent further breaches.