West Virginia University Breach

West Virginia University is a research university with its main campus located in Morgantown. It is known for its wide variety of academic programs and sports programs.

What Was the Breach?

Digital criminals victimized the popular college West Virginia University. The FBI spotlighted the West Virginia University cyberattack and those inflicted against other colleges to make it clear that postsecondary educational institutions are at risk. Here's a quick look at the attack.

How Did the Breach Occur?

Hackers accessed the login information of staff members, faculty members, and possibly several other groups in the attack. The university's administrators have gone out of their way to make it clear that staffers, administrators, professors, and others who use WVU sites should never use those credentials for other sites.

The suspicion is that the hackers obtained access to the university’s systems after stealing the same login credentials used for other sites. However, university representatives have not identified the specific avenue by which the hacker(s) accessed its systems.

When Did This Breach Occur?

This breach occurred during the summer of 2021.

Who Does the Breach Impact?

In particular, the breach impacts the login credentials of West Virginia University administrators, professors, and students. The FBI is warning other universities about similar attacks as data and systems used for higher education purposes require a sense of collective responsibility.

Aside from diversifying username and login information, it is also prudent to choose passwords with a minimum of 8-10+ letters, special characters, and numbers. Be sure to bolster your digital defenses at least once yearly at a bare minimum.

How Many Files Does the Breach Affect?

West Virginia University officials did not state how many files were affected. The institution responded to the attack by securing its networks, data, and computers.