Students hack Wilson Middle School computer

An eighth grader obtained an administrative password by improperly using his assigned computer, raising concerns about grade manipulation.

"It was immediately detected by the technology staff and teachers, the child was located, questioned, and his technique discovered," school officials announced in an email.

Then more system abusers came forward.

"After initial interviews, several students have admitted taking and using the administrative passwords," the email stated. "Our concern at this point, relates to the grades being posted by teachers as the trimester ends.”

In a separate email, Assistant Superintendent Anna P. Nolin said grades were not altered this time.

"The integrity of database information, grades, and the Wilson network were not compromised in any way,” Nolin said. “While any situation where a student tests the limits and makes such a mistake is unfortunate, our laptop program safeguards, staff training, and highly-connected staff were able to intervene, keep children and school safe, and allow us to educate further."

ThreatWatch is a regularly updated catalog of data breaches successfully striking every sector of the globe, as reported by journalists, researchers and the victims themselves.