UPPER DARBY, Pa. /PRNewswire/ — Upper Darby School District (“UDSD”) is providing notice of recent events that may have affected the privacy of personal information related to certain individuals. The information involved in these events may include data related to current and former employees, as well as some student data.

DATA Events

In February 2024, UDSD identified unusual activity on certain IT systems. UDSD promptly took steps to secure its systems and initiated an investigation into the nature and scope of the issue. Through the investigation, it was determined that certain files were potentially copied from the systems by an unauthorized person on or around February 4, 2024. Further, in June 2024, UDSD learned that certain files were potentially copied from its systems by an unauthorized person on or around June 2, 2024. In response to these issues, UDSD undertook comprehensive reviews of the relevant files to determine what information was present and to whom it relates. While these efforts are still underway, UDSD has been working on an ongoing to mail letters to those individuals whose personal information was found in the relevant files. The investigations to date have determined that the type of information that may have been impacted varies per person, but may include name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license number, other state identification number, medical and/or health insurance information.

UDSD takes these incidents, and the security of information in its care very seriously. UDSD has been working diligently to investigate and respond to these events, including moving quickly to initiate appropriate investigations, taking steps to assess the security of the network, and notifying potentially affected individuals on an ongoing basis as the investigations continue. UDSD is providing individuals with information and resources that they may use to better protect personal information.

UDSD encourages potentially impacted individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing their account statements and monitoring free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Any suspicious activity should be promptly reported to the affiliated institutions. Individuals may also contact the three major credit reporting agencies for advice on how to obtain free credit reports and how to place fraud alerts and security freezes on credit files. The relevant contact information is below. More information on actions individuals may take to better protect their personal information may be found in the Steps Individuals May Take To Help Protect Personal Information section available on UDSD’s website at https://www.upperdarbysd.org/cms/lib/PA02209738/Centricity/Domain/4/UDSD%20-%20Website%20Notice.pdf.

UDSD has established a dedicated assistance line to answer questions regarding these incidents. If you have questions, please call 1-866-362-1773 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding major U.S. holidays. Additionally, you can write us at 8201 Lansdowne Avenue, Upper Darby, PA 19082.

Steps Individuals May Take To Help Protect Personal Information

Monitor Accounts
Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. You may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of your credit report.

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Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If you are a victim of identity theft, you are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should you wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any one of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent. However, you should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in your credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application you make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, you cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on your credit report. To request a security freeze, you may need to provide the following information, depending on whether you make the request online, by phone, or by mail:

1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
2. Social Security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;
5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.);
7. Social Security Card, pay stub, or W2;
8. If you are a victim of identity theft, include a copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft.

Should you wish to place a credit freeze, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Additional Information
You may further educate yourself regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps you can take to protect your personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or your state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. You can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. You have the right to file a police report if you ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, you will likely need to provide some proof that you have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement, your state Attorney General, and the Federal Trade Commission.

SOURCE Upper Darby School District

STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.

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(Family Features) If you’re like most people, you likely use your home internet to pay bills, shop online, send emails, watch movies and more. With everything from smartphones and laptops to security systems and thermostats connected to your home’s Wi-Fi, protecting your network is vital to keeping your personal information secure.

Much the same as you lock your front door to help protect your valuables inside, ensuring your wireless network is secure can help safeguard personal information like account passwords and credit card numbers and protect your devices from cyber threats. Consider these tips to create a secure online environment.

Understand Wi-Fi Security Protocols
By understanding different Wi-Fi security protocols, you can make informed decisions to protect your network and prevent unauthorized access. There are several protocols available, including WEP (wired equivalent privacy), WPA (Wi-Fi protected access) and WPA2 (Wi-Fi protected access 2). WPA2 is currently the most secure option and should be used whenever possible.

Set a Strong Password
By setting a strong Wi-Fi password, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your network.Your password should be long, complex and unique. Avoid using common words or easily guessable combinations. Consider using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters.

Enable Network Encryption
Network encryption adds an extra layer of security to your Wi-Fi network. Encryption scrambles the data transmitted between your devices and the router, making it unreadable to unauthorized users. To enable network encryption, access your router’s settings and look for the encryption options. Choose the strongest encryption protocol available – either WPA2-PSK (pre-shared key) or WPA3 – and enter a strong password to ensure your network is protected from eavesdropping and unauthorized access.

Enhance Network Security with MAC Address Filtering
MAC Address Filtering is an additional security measure that can help prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to your Wi-Fi network. Every network device has a unique MAC (media access control) address, which can be used to control access to your network. To set up MAC Address Filtering and create a whitelist of allowed devices that can connect to your network, access your router’s settings and enter the MAC addresses of the devices you want to allow in the filtering section.

Update Router Software
Router manufacturers regularly release firmware updates to fix security vulnerabilities and improve performance. To update your router’s software and reduce the risk of unauthorized network access, check the manufacturer’s website or your router’s administration interface for available updates. Follow the instructions to download and install the latest firmware.

Find more cybersecurity tips to protect yourself online at eLivingtoday.com.

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SOURCE:
eLivingtoday.com

In a startling revelation, CrowdStrike, one of the leading cybersecurity firms in the United States, has reported that hackers have threatened to leak sensitive information about adversary groups it monitors. The situation escalated as the company confirmed that some of its private data had already been released online, raising significant concerns about cybersecurity protocols and the implications of such breaches.

The Nature of the Leak

On Wednesday evening, CrowdStrike disclosed that an internal database detailing the hacker groups it tracks had been compromised. This leak includes a wealth of information, echoing some data that the company has publicly shared in the past. The leaked details list 244 notable hacker groups, specifying their activity status (active, inactive, or retired), country of origin, targeted industries, and whether they are affiliated with government entities, hacktivist movements, or operate as independent cybercriminals.

However, the hacker, operating under the alias “USDoD,” claims to possess even more sensitive data, including a list of “Indicators of Compromise.” These indicators are crucial digital footprints cybersecurity experts rely on to trace the activities of hacker groups. While the cybersecurity community often encounters threats of data leaks, it is uncommon for a major firm like CrowdStrike to publicly acknowledge such a claim without refuting it

The Implications of the Breach

The hacker group USDoD posted the leaked information on BreachForums, a well-known English-language hacker forum, which has raised alarms among cybersecurity experts. Although the leaked database was current as of June, CrowdStrike indicated it had been updated in July, suggesting that the breach occurred recently.

CrowdStrike’s acknowledgment of the leak is particularly concerning given the company’s recent history. Just days before this revelation, the firm faced criticism for a massive computer system crash attributed to a routine software update that inadvertently included a coding error. This incident affected an estimated 8.5 million Windows computers, disrupting operations across various sectors, including airlines, hospitals, and even the ticketing system for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

While CrowdStrike has asserted that the data breach is separate from the software glitch, the proximity of these events raises questions about the company’s cybersecurity measures and overall resilience against threats.

The Bigger Picture

The emergence of this data leak serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing challenges facing cybersecurity firms. As more sensitive information comes under threat, the implications extend beyond just the companies affected; they ripple through industries and economies.

Cybercriminals often exploit current events for personal gain and recognition, making it imperative for organizations to remain vigilant and proactive in their cybersecurity strategies. This incident underscores the importance of robust data protection measures and the need for continuous monitoring and rapid response capabilities.

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Moving Forward

As the situation develops, CrowdStrike continues to monitor the threat posed by USDoD and the potential fallout from the leaked information. For organizations and individuals alike, this incident serves as a wake-up call to prioritize cybersecurity and to remain aware of the evolving tactics employed by cybercriminals.

The implications of this data leak go beyond CrowdStrike; they remind us of the ever-present vulnerabilities in our digital landscape. As we navigate an increasingly interconnected world, staying informed and adopting best practices in cybersecurity is more crucial than ever.

Read more about this story on the NBC News website: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/crowdstrike-says-hackers-are-threatening-leak-sensitive-information-ad-rcna163675

STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories celebrating the positive impacts shaping our world.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/stories-this-moment