What lessons can be learned from the UofW cyberattack?

As the University of Winnipeg has wrapped up its investigation following a cyberattack earlier this year, an expert says it serves as a reminder for people to regularly check their credit information.

The investigation into the March cyberattack found that students, employees and those applying to study or work at the university were impacted. Exposed information possibly included social insurance numbers, addresses, date of births, gender, academic history and employment history.

Hernan Popper with POPP3R Cybersecurity recommends everyone monitor their credit history monthly, as cyberattacks become more frequent.

“The understanding today is that you have to assume that your information was already leaked,” Popper said.

“They are not targeting universities, they are targeting everyone. It’s just a matter of finding a vulnerability, or when they could find someone, they can actually convince to give away information.”

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Renisse Ramkissoon, who is heading into her third year studying criminal justice at the UofW, was one of several people notified they were likely part of the cyberattack.

“I got the email from the university with the free credit monitoring for two years, so I have that option,” Ramkissoon said. “I was honestly kind of just confused on how it happened and really shocked that it happened.

“I would assume that the university would have proper cyber care.”

Popper also recommends either using random characters or phrases for passwords, and to use two-factor authentication to protect yourself.

“Your password, it’s quite possible is out there already,” he said. “Two-factor authentication is the way to verify that you are the one trying to access the account. It’s the way that even though your password has been leaked, you can still avoid that.”

Meanwhile Ramkissoon says she’s taking the situation in stride.

“Things happen and there’s nothing that I could do about it.”