Schools become popular target for cyber criminals, new study shows [Video]

TAMPA, Fla. – Cyber criminals are known for attacking banks and big corporations, but what about students? A new study shows schools are more popular for hackers to prey on than health care or financial organizations.

Unlike major corporations that can afford top-notch level cybersecurity protection, schools and colleges lack the funding to stay just as protected.

Under Florida law every school district must request a social security number for students enrolled in school. That data is stored somewhere in their network, and it’s exactly what cyber criminals want to get their hands on.

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“A lot of the schools do not have a lot of funding. They’re focused on curriculum and teachers and physical security. But what happens is, and the hackers know this, the data that these schools hold is so important,” said Anthony Mongeluzo, a cybersecurity consultant …