💻 Cyber criminals target New Jersey City University

💻 School officials reveal massive data breach

💻 Students' sensitive personal and financial information may have been compromised

UPDATE: A hotline is now available for those who may have had their information compromised.  Scroll down to learn how to access the hotline.

New Jersey City University is notifying students of a ransomware attack that may have compromised sensitive personal and financial data.

University officials confirmed the cyberattack occurred between June 4-10, but are only now notifying students and staff.

In a statement on their website, officials say, "The types of information that could be affected varied by individual, but the information collectively included name, Social Security number, driver’s license number, financial account number, and credit card number."

Effected individuals are being notified directly and are being offered free credit monitoring.

READ MORE: College students' data for sale on the dark web

What happened?

New Jersey City University said in a statement their "computer network was accessed without permission by an unknown actor and certain files may have been copied without permission."

While NJCU confirmed this was a "ransomware event," they refuse to say if they paid the ransom.

A cybersecurity company that tracks such data breaches and attacks claims the Rhysida Ransomware Group is responsible for the NJCU attack.

Hack Manac claims on its' website Rhysida was able to capture sensitive information and has threatened to release it publicly unless NJCU pays $700,000 in bitcoin ransom.

NJCU would not confirm those details.

School officials say the "unauthorized activity was remediated" and it is safe to use the university's computer system.

UPDATE: Hotline established to help those effected

On August 14, 2024, New Jersey City University finally announced a special hotline number for students and staff who may have had their personal information stolen.

The announcement comes more than two-weeks after the school confirmed the data breach.

NJCU has contracted with Cyberscout, which is a division of credit reporting agency Transunion.

If you believe your information was compromised in this ransomware attack, you may call (833) 531-1135.

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