Hackers threaten to leak ‘woke’ University of Pennsylvania student data
In a startling breach of security, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) recently found itself at the center of controversy after several alumni received emails claiming, “We got hacked.” These messages, sent from addresses associated with the Graduate School of Education, contained derogatory remarks about the institution, branding it an “elitist” and “woke” establishment. The emails criticized Penn’s admission policies and security practices, threatening the release of sensitive data protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The sender, who appears to be the hacker or hackers, also referenced the recent Supreme Court ruling that dismantled race-based affirmative action in college admissions, indicating a politically motivated agenda behind the attack.
In response to the incident, Penn acknowledged the fraudulent emails on its website, assuring the community that the Office of Information Security was actively investigating the matter. The university emphasized that the offensive content of the emails does not reflect its values or mission. This breach at Penn is not an isolated incident; earlier this year, Columbia University faced a similar attack that compromised decades of admissions data. The hacker behind the Columbia breach claimed to be searching for evidence of continued affirmative action practices, highlighting the politically charged atmosphere surrounding these prestigious institutions, particularly in light of their handling of protests related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This wave of cyberattacks on Ivy League schools raises significant concerns about the security of sensitive information and the potential for politically motivated cyber threats in the academic landscape.
As universities navigate these challenges, the incidents underscore the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and a reevaluation of data protection practices. The implications of such breaches extend beyond immediate reputational damage; they also pose risks to the privacy of students and alumni, as well as to the integrity of the institutions themselves. With the landscape of higher education becoming increasingly politicized, the stakes are higher than ever, and the academic community must remain vigilant against the evolving threats posed by cybercriminals.
Related articles:
– Link 1
– Link 2
“We got hacked,” members of the University of Pennsylvania community were told in the subject line of several emails sent from addresses linked to its Graduate School of Education. The sender, apparently, was the potential hacker or hackers themselves.
“The University of Pennsylvania is a dogshit elitist institution full of woke retards,” said the emails, which were received by several alumni including a
Verge
author who attended the University of Pennsylvania. “We have terrible security practices and are completely unmeritocratic. We hire and admit morons because we love legacies, donors, and unqualified affirmative action admits. We love breaking federal laws like FERPA (all your data will be leaked) and Supreme Court rulings like SFFA. Please stop giving us money.”
The apparent hacker or hackers referenced the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
, which protects the privacy of students’ personal information that’s shared with schools. SFFA appears to refer to Students for Fair Admissions, the group that was at the forefront of the Supreme Court ruling that struck down race-based affirmative action for college admissions.
Do you have information about the U Penn hack or other university attacks? Contact Elizabeth Lopatto securely on Signal at lopatto.46.
Penn acknowledged the existence of the messages in a statement on its website. “A fraudulent email is currently being circulated that appears to come from a Penn GSE account with the subject ‘We got hacked (Action Required)’ or similar,” it says. “The University’s Office of Information Security is aware of the situation, and their Incident Response team is actively addressing it.” In a
statement
on the university’s communications website, the school says, “nothing in the highly offensive, hurtful message reflects the mission or actions of Penn or of Penn GSE.”
Penn would not be the first Ivy League school to be hacked this year by what seems to be politically motivated attackers.
Columbia University was the target of a breach earlier this year
reportedly impacting decades of admissions data. The
alleged hacker told
Bloomberg
they were looking for signs that it had continued affirmative action policies after the Supreme Court struck it down. Both schools have been at the center of political firestorms over their handling of protests over Israel’s war in Gaza. The alleged Columbia hacker — a
self-proclaimed “violently racist” and pro-Hitler figure
whose handle includes a racial slur — also took credit for two other hacks at New York University and the University of Minnesota.
