U Penn Flags Major Data Breach, Calls FBI for Investigation

The University of Pennsylvania has called in the FBI after discovering a cyberattack that targeted its systems and sent misleading emails to alumni.

The breach came to light after graduates received unusual messages that appeared to come from official university accounts. The emails criticized the school, using phrases like “elitist” and “unmeritocratic,” raising immediate concerns about a hack.

University officials confirmed that some information systems had been accessed without authorization.

The attacker has claimed that donor information belonging to more than one million people was accessed. The university has not verified that figure, and is urging caution until the facts are confirmed.

Cybersecurity experts say universities are increasingly being targeted by hackers because they hold large amounts of valuable data, including financial records and personal information from students, staff, and alumni.

Officials have not reported any disruption to academic activities, but digital security teams are continuing to monitor campus systems closely.