University Hit by Qilin Ransomware Gang, Student Data Stolen

The University of Texas at Arlington has confirmed that hackers from the Qilin ransomware gang stole personal data during a cybersecurity breach last month. The attack, which forced the university to take its MachForms online portal offline, exposed information belonging to students and employees, though officials have not yet disclosed exactly what data was taken or how many people are affected.

The Qilin gang has rapidly become one of the most active ransomware groups, claiming hundreds of attacks globally, including recent high-profile incidents against government agencies. This breach is part of a worrying trend targeting educational institutions, with several other universities also grappling with ransomware fallout. The incident highlights the persistent vulnerability of university systems, which hold vast amounts of sensitive personal data, to sophisticated cybercriminal operations.