tech

Canvas' parent company strikes deal with hackers to delete data stolen from educational platform

The company that operates online learning system Canvas said it struck a deal with hackers to delete the data they pilfered in a cyberattack that created chaos for students, many of them in the middle of finals.

Canvas' parent company strikes deal with hackers to delete data stolen from educational platform

TL;DR

  • Instructure reached an agreement with the unauthorized actor involved in a data breach.
  • The hacking group ShinyHunters claimed responsibility and threatened to leak data from nearly 9,000 schools.
  • As part of the deal, stolen data was returned to Instructure, and the hackers provided digital confirmation of data destruction.
  • The breach potentially involved student ID numbers, email addresses, names, and messages, but not passwords or financial information.
  • The incident caused temporary system downtime, locking out students and faculty and disrupting access to grades, course materials, and assignments.