Hundreds of Toronto university students may be at risk of identity theft after sensitive personal information, including social insurance numbers, was recently exposed online, an expert warned yesterday.
Ryerson University began notifying some 588 students yesterday that an “isolated software error” may have allowed other students to gain access to their name, gender, SIN, date of birth, student number, and mailing and email addresses.
The school installed a software patch to address the error in early January, which she said has fixed the vulnerability.
“We’re confident … that no misuse of personal information has happened,” said Heather Driscoll, the downtown school’s information and privacy co-ordinator.
However, security expert Claudiu Popa advised that students who learn their information was breached must stay alert.
“The financial fraud implications are significant. Additionally, the criminals can go and secure loans, mortgages, lines of credit, and they can open bank accounts.”
