Schools Remain Frequent Targets for Ransomware Attacks Year Round

Schools in the United States and other countries have been hit by hackers in recent days, according to cybersecurity expert Graham Cluley. These attacks remind us that ransomware criminals view schools as valuable targets all year long, not just during specific seasons. Ransomware is malicious software that locks computer systems and demands payment to unlock them. When schools get hit, it can disrupt classes, expose student records, and compromise sensitive information. If your children attend public or private school, this affects your family directly. School ransomware attacks can expose student names, addresses, birth dates, grades, medical information, and disciplinary records. Some attacks also compromise parent contact information and even Social Security numbers if the school stores them.

Even if no data gets stolen, attacks can shut down online learning systems, email, and grade portals for days or weeks. If your child's school announces a cyberattack, take these steps immediately. First, watch for official communications from the school about what information was affected. Second, monitor your credit reports and your children's credit reports for suspicious activity. Third, be extra alert for phishing emails that pretend to be from the school. Criminals often follow up data breaches with targeted scam emails. Fourth, change passwords for any school portals or apps if instructed to do so. Fifth, ask the school specifically what data was compromised and what steps they are taking to protect families. Protect your family long term by having conversations with your kids about online safety. Teach them never to share passwords, even with friends. Remind them that school computers and accounts should only be used for schoolwork. Consider placing a credit freeze on your children's credit reports to prevent identity theft. Stay involved by attending school meetings about technology and security policies. Schools are targets because they often have limited security budgets, so parent awareness and advocacy can help push for better protection.