22,000 Social Security Numbers stolen from U. of Missouri

The University of Missouri’s computers have been hacked, for the second time this year. The hacker accessed 22,000 names and Social Security numbers of campus employees and alumni from 2004.

In January, 3,720 people were victims of a data breach in the online grant application system. This month’s breach affects a specific group of people who worked at one of the four University of Missouri campuses in 2004 and were also current or past students of the University. Letters have been sent to 929 people so far.

The hackers were identified as being from China and Australia. The University and FBI are investigating the crimes.

Mizzou spokesperson Scott Charton had this to say:

"This is critical private information. The university is working hard and has been since last year, with an executive order from our president to move away from Social Security numbers in data bases."

The University has set up a website for those affected.

Via KSDK NewsChannel 5 ; Tags: social security numbers, data breach, education data, university of missouri, identity theft, privacy breach