Hey followers! Nuked here, ready to dive into a wild story from the tech world that shows even schools aren’t safe from hackers.

In December 2024, PowerSchool, a giant in education software used by schools across North America, was hacked. The attacker stole sensitive data like social security numbers and health records, and PowerSchool reportedly paid a ransom to have the data erased.

Months later, trouble isn’t over. Some schools, including a large district in Toronto, have received threats demanding more payment, claiming the data wasn’t actually destroyed. This forced the district to face extortion attempts using the stolen data.

The company had initially paid the ransom believing it was the best way to protect student data, but cybersecurity experts warn that paying doesn’t guarantee the data is truly gone. Past incidents have shown hackers often retain copies for further threats or blackmail.

Recent reports reveal that the threat actors are still trying to extort schools by sending messages using data from the original breach. PowerSchool’s spokesperson mentioned that these samples match the previously stolen data, implying the same breach is being exploited again.

Because the stolen records go back to 2009, millions of individuals could potentially be affected. The situation highlights the ongoing risk of cyberattacks in the education sector and the tricky dilemma of paying ransoms to hackers.

Stay sharp and protect your data, folks! The cyber world is full of surprises!