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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| GCSE coursework lost in cyber attack on Bridport school | GCSE coursework lost in cyber attack on Bridport school |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Hackers have used ransomware to encrypt files at a school, causing it to lose some students' GCSE coursework. | |
| The Sir John Colfox Academy in Bridport, Dorset, said a member of staff mistakenly opened an email containing a virus. | |
| The email claimed to be from a colleague at another Dorset school and infected the computer network. | |
| Coursework from one subject submitted by Year 11 students, which was saved on the school' system, has been lost. | |
| Head teacher David Herbert said: "We are liaising with the relevant exam boards about this specific issue." | Head teacher David Herbert said: "We are liaising with the relevant exam boards about this specific issue." |
| Mr Herbert added a police expert "has advised us that it is very unlikely that any school information has left the building and we are not compromised in that way". | Mr Herbert added a police expert "has advised us that it is very unlikely that any school information has left the building and we are not compromised in that way". |
| "Personal data relating to staff, students and parents is not held on this system and is secure," he said. | "Personal data relating to staff, students and parents is not held on this system and is secure," he said. |
| Analysis | |
| by BBC technology reporter Jane Wakefield | |
| Hackers are highly qualified when it comes to finding ways to infect machines and so-called ransomware has become one of the most popular ways for cyber criminals to make money. | |
| In a typical attack, malicious software is installed on a victim's computer - typically via a link that is sent in an email - and will then proceed to encrypt all the files on it. | |
| To get the data back, the victim will be asked to pay a ransom, often in cryptocurrency, within a certain timeframe. | |
| Unfortunately, schools and other public institutions, such as hospitals, have become regular victims because hackers think they will be less likely to have good cyber-practices. | |
| Falling victim can be hugely damaging to reputation - and a school which has lost GCSE coursework as a result of an attack will have some explaining to do to parents and pupils. | |
| All of this could be simply avoided with some straightforward steps. Backing-up data on an external drive, keeping anti-virus software up to date and educating anyone who uses the network to not open unsolicited emails or click on suspicious links. | |
| Last week school leaders were urged by the government to take action after a "significant increase" in cyber attacks on academy trusts were recorded. | |
| The school in Dorset said specialists were working to try and rectify the issue, which also means Year 9 and 10 reports will be delayed by at least a week. | |
| Dorset Police said: "A full investigation is under way into the circumstances and Dorset Police's cyber crime unit is supporting and providing advice to the school." | Dorset Police said: "A full investigation is under way into the circumstances and Dorset Police's cyber crime unit is supporting and providing advice to the school." |
| The force said no money had been exchanged. | The force said no money had been exchanged. |