University Data Breach: What Students and Staff Should Know

Mount Royal University in Calgary recently announced that hackers broke into their computer systems and stole data from their file storage systems. After copying the information, the hackers then deleted it from the university's servers. The university has confirmed the breach and is investigating what happened.

If you are a current or former student, faculty member, or staff member at Mount Royal University, your personal information may have been taken. This could include things like your name, student ID number, contact information, and potentially other records the university keeps. Anyone who has attended the school or worked there should pay attention to updates from the university.

Here's what you should do right now. First, watch your email for official messages from Mount Royal University about the breach. They should provide specific details about what was stolen and what steps they're taking. Second, monitor your bank accounts and credit cards for any unusual activity. Third, be extra cautious about emails or phone calls claiming to be from the university asking for personal information, as scammers often target breach victims. Fourth, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the major credit bureaus. Going forward, this is a good reminder to use different passwords for different accounts.

If you used your university password anywhere else, change those passwords now. Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts like email and banking whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security even if someone gets your password. Keep an eye on your credit report for the next year to catch any suspicious activity early.