What Happened in the PowerSchool Breach
In December 2024, the educational software company PowerSchool experienced a significant cyber attack, which became known on December 28. An unauthorized person accessed personal information through their customer support portal, PowerSource. This breach impacted up to 62 million people, including students, teachers, and parents in 1,243 U.S. school districts and 89 schools abroad. The stolen data could include name, contact info, birth date, Social Insurance Number, medical details, and other private records.
The hacker was a 19-year-old student named Matthew D. Lane, who stole login credentials through tricks like phishing emails. He then used a maintenance tool with too much access to breach into school databases and download data. The attacker bypassed security like multi-factor authentication using a replay trick and exploited outdated software. They went undetected for about 11 days and demanded ransom. This kind of attack shows how vulnerabilities in services you rely on, like school apps, can put personal info at risk.
Common Risks You Might Face
- Stolen logins: Hackers often trick people with fake emails pretending to be from trusted sources, stealing your passwords.
- Overly broad access: Support tools in apps might allow too much entry into your data if not secured properly.
- Slow detection: Without quick alerts, unusual activity like someone downloading your info can go unnoticed.
- Outdated software: Old versions of apps or tools can have known weaknesses that hackers exploit.
How You Can Protect Yourself and Your Data
While companies like PowerSchool need to improve their security, you as a user—whether a student, parent, or educator—can take steps to safeguard your information and reduce risks from similar breaches. Here is what you can do, based on lessons from this incident:
1. Boost your login security.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible, app-based or hardware keys to avoid replay attacks.
- Consider a password manager to keep track of complex passwords without reusing them.
- Be cautious with login attempts. If you get alerts about suspicious logins, change your password immediately and report it.
2. Stay alert to phishing and scams.
- Learn to spot fake emails or messages. Check for odd sender addresses, urgent demands, or links that do not match official sites.
- Never click links or share info without verifying—call your school or the company directly using known contact numbers.
- Participate in any cybersecurity awareness program offered by your school to practice recognizing threats.
3. Limit what you share and control access.
- Only provide necessary info in school apps and review privacy settings to restrict who sees your data.
- If you are a parent or educator, audit what permissions apps have on your devices and revoke unnecessary ones.
- Encourage your school to adopt stricter access rules, like limiting support tool privileges.
4. Keep your devices and software updated.
- Regularly update your phone, computer, and apps to patch known vulnerabilities—enable auto-updates where you can.
- Use antivirus software that scans for threats and blocks suspicious activity.
- If you use school-provided devices, remind admins to keep everything current.
5. Monitor for signs of trouble.
- Check your accounts regularly for unusual activities, like unexpected login or data changes.
- Set up alerts for account changes and review school communications about security incidents.
- Use free tools or apps to monitor your personal info on the dark web if available through your school.
6. Prepare a personal response plan.
- Know what to do if breached. Have a list of steps like changing passwords and contacting support.
- Back up important personal data securely but avoid storing sensitive info unnecessarily.
- Join community forums or school groups to stay informed about threats and share tips.
7. Protect your data with encryption and use caution.
- Use encrypted apps for sensitive communication and enable device encryption.
- Avoid sharing personal files via unsecured links and onlyuse school-approved methods.
- Minimize storing sensitive data online; delete old accounts or info when not needed.
8. Be wary of third-party services.
- Research apps or tools linked to your school account for their security reputation.
- If something feels off, report it to your school IT team.
- Advocate for your school to choose vendors with strong security practices.
What to Do If You’re Affected by a Breach
Following the PowerSchool example, if your data is compromised:
- Sign up for free identity theft protection and credit monitoring if offered.
- Check your bank and credit card statements often for unauthorized charges.
- Place a fraud alert or freeze your credit with agencies like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Report any identity theft to the police and the effected person(s).
Final Thoughts
The PowerSchool breach highlights how even everyday tools like school software can expose personal details through tricks like phishing. By taking these organizational steps, you can better protect the organization and push for better security from the services you use. Remember, staying informed and proactive is key. Cyber threats evolve, so make strong security a habit. For more on this incident, check official updates or talk to cybersecurity experts.
If you would like further information on this or any other risk management topic, please contact your Risk Advisor at risk@rmainsurance.com.