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11-01-2007, 09:58 AM
Hackers altered only own grades
F-M principal assures parents that other records have not been compromised.
Thursday, November 01, 2007 By Elizabeth Doran
Staff writer
The three students suspected of hacking into computers at Fayetteville-Manlius High School altered their own grades and grade point averages, but it doesn't appear they altered records of any other students, school officials said in a letter to parents Wednesday.
"We are reviewing additional information to ensure other records have not been compromised," Executive Principal James Chupaila said in the letter.
The district intends "to prosecute once the full extent of the charges is known," the letter also said.
Manlius Police said Wednesday they are continuing their investigation, and haven't yet reached a conclusion as to the extent of the tampering.
A couple of teams are working on the case in conjunction with the state police's computer crimes unit, said Manlius Police Capt. William Bleyle.
"We don't have a totally accurate picture yet," he said. "We're gathering a lot of information and talking to a lot of people. We haven't yet come to a conclusion as to the extent of the tampering and damage."
Bleyle said once the evidence has been reviewed, police will meet with the district attorney's office and talk about charges.
The three students, who have not been identified by the district, have not been charged yet. Charges could include felony or misdemeanor burglary, computer tampering or trespassing, police said.
One student was caught trying to remove an electronic monitoring device from a school computer on Oct. 24. Another student was caught trying to break-in the school earlier that day and the third student was found waiting in a nearby car.
The security breach occurred in the Student Information System (SIS), which is a student management system and database used to collect data including grades, assessments, personal information and attendance.
In the letter, Chupaila said security has been reassessed and the school is confident the system is secure at this time.
The students, who have been suspended for five days, will face disciplinary actions as defined by board policy and the district's code of conduct.
F-M principal assures parents that other records have not been compromised.
Thursday, November 01, 2007 By Elizabeth Doran
Staff writer
The three students suspected of hacking into computers at Fayetteville-Manlius High School altered their own grades and grade point averages, but it doesn't appear they altered records of any other students, school officials said in a letter to parents Wednesday.
"We are reviewing additional information to ensure other records have not been compromised," Executive Principal James Chupaila said in the letter.
The district intends "to prosecute once the full extent of the charges is known," the letter also said.
Manlius Police said Wednesday they are continuing their investigation, and haven't yet reached a conclusion as to the extent of the tampering.
A couple of teams are working on the case in conjunction with the state police's computer crimes unit, said Manlius Police Capt. William Bleyle.
"We don't have a totally accurate picture yet," he said. "We're gathering a lot of information and talking to a lot of people. We haven't yet come to a conclusion as to the extent of the tampering and damage."
Bleyle said once the evidence has been reviewed, police will meet with the district attorney's office and talk about charges.
The three students, who have not been identified by the district, have not been charged yet. Charges could include felony or misdemeanor burglary, computer tampering or trespassing, police said.
One student was caught trying to remove an electronic monitoring device from a school computer on Oct. 24. Another student was caught trying to break-in the school earlier that day and the third student was found waiting in a nearby car.
The security breach occurred in the Student Information System (SIS), which is a student management system and database used to collect data including grades, assessments, personal information and attendance.
In the letter, Chupaila said security has been reassessed and the school is confident the system is secure at this time.
The students, who have been suspended for five days, will face disciplinary actions as defined by board policy and the district's code of conduct.