Ethical Hacking News
A recent data breach at Monroe University has exposed personal, financial, and health-related information of over 320,000 individuals. The university has taken steps to address its security posture and prevent similar incidents in the future. Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity developments with our regular updates on breaches and security best practices.
Middlebury College was not mentioned in the given text, but another institution - Monroe University - suffered a devastating data breach. The breach occurred over two weeks and involved unauthorized access to the university's network, compromising sensitive information from over 320,000 individuals. The attackers stole personal, financial, and health-related data, including names, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information. The breach was discovered in September 2025, and Monroe University has since begun mailing breach notifications to affected individuals. The university has also offered one year of free credit monitoring services to those whose data was compromised. The incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for educational institutions. Multiple other universities in the US have been targeted in various cyberattacks, including the University of Hawaii's Cancer Center and Baker University.
In a recent revelation, Monroe University has disclosed that it was the victim of a devastating data breach in December 2024. The breach, which occurred over two weeks, saw threat actors gain unauthorized access to the university's network, compromising sensitive information belonging to over 320,000 individuals.
The attackers, who were able to remain on the network for an extended period, stole personal, financial, and health-related data from the university's systems. This sensitive information included names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, passport numbers, government identification numbers, medical information, health insurance information, electronic account or email usernames and passwords, and financial account details.
The breach was discovered by Monroe University in September 2025, when a review of the stolen documents revealed that they contained personal information for certain individuals. It is worth noting that the type of information involved varied significantly from person to person, with some individuals potentially being exposed to multiple types of sensitive data.
Following the discovery of the breach, Monroe University began mailing breach notifications to those whose data was compromised, informing them to monitor their credit reports and account statements for any signs of fraud or identity theft. The university has also offered one year of free credit monitoring services through Cyberscout, which will alert affected individuals to changes in their credit files.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the potential consequences that can arise when these measures are breached. As universities continue to expand their digital presence and engage with increasing amounts of sensitive information, it is essential that institutions prioritize their security posture to protect against such breaches.
In recent months, multiple other universities across the United States have also been targeted in various cyberattacks. The University of Hawaii's Cancer Center was breached in an August 2025 ransomware attack, while Baker University disclosed a data breach after attackers stole personal and health information from over 53,000 individuals. Furthermore, several U.S. universities have fallen victim to voice phishing attacks starting in October, with Harvard University, Princeton University, and the University of Pennsylvania being among those affected.
The Clop ransomware gang has also been linked to breaches at these institutions, including the Oracle E-Business Suite platforms of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, where personal and financial data from students, staff, and suppliers was stolen. These incidents highlight the growing threat landscape for educational institutions and underscore the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.
In light of this recent breach, Monroe University is taking steps to address its security posture and prevent similar incidents in the future. As such, the university has begun working with various organizations and experts to enhance its cybersecurity protocols and protect against emerging threats.
Monroe University's commitment to security and student safety serves as a model for other institutions, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in safeguarding sensitive information.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Monroe-Universitys-2024-Data-Breach-Exposes-Sensitive-Information-of-Over-320000-Individuals-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/monroe-university-says-2024-data-breach-affects-320-000-people/
Published: Wed Jan 14 03:05:54 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
