Authorities investigating alleged tampering with school computers

[InfoSec News <isn () C4I ORG>]

http://www.newsday.com/ap/regional/ap372.htm

02/17/2001

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) - Officials at Absegami High School said
their computer system has been breached by hackers who tampered with
student records.

The district learned of the break-in on Feb. 8 and sent a letter to
parents about a week later. Officials claimed few student records were
involved, and that they have been corrected.

Greater Egg Harbor Regional School Superintendent Adam Pfeffer would
not say how the breach was discovered, but told The Press of Atlantic
City that the Atlantic County prosecutor's office was investigating.

He said the break-in did not affect student rankings, which are
considered by colleges when reviewing applications.

Since the breach was discovered, the district said it has secured the
database and has increased security for records.

It was not clear whether school computers were used by the hackers.
But officials have placed ''strict application and download
restrictions,'' on school machines, Principal Daniel Mackie wrote in
the letter to parents.

Atlantic County Prosecutor Jeffrey S. Blitz would not comment.

Last year, four teen-age boys from the high school were charged in
connection with an Internet scam. Police say the boys used credit card
numbers to defraud hundreds of people around the country.

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