'Beyond Troubling' Emails Sent From Hacked Teacher's Account | Skokie, IL Patch
Anyone who received one of the "highly offensive and harassing emails" should not reply, district officials recommended.
Jonah Meadows's profile picture
Jonah Meadows, Patch Staff
Verified Patch Staff Badge
Posted Fri, Nov 20, 2020 at 5:35 pm CT
|
Updated Fri, Nov 20, 2020 at 6:13 pm CT
Replies (3)
An investigation is underway until who gained unauthorized access to the email account of a teacher at a Niles Township High School District 219, according to a statement from the school board.
An investigation is underway until who gained unauthorized access to the email account of a teacher at a Niles Township High School District 219, according to a statement from the school board. (Nicole Bertic/Patch)
SKOKIE, IL — Someone hijacked the email account of a teacher in Niles Township High School District 219 last week and used it to send offensive emails to students and community members, according to a statement from the school board.
Board members said they cherish the district's diversity and efforts at achieving equity for its students and an environment free from racism and discrimination.
"We also place a high value on the security of our communications," they said. "In this context, we were all shocked and left in disbelief to learn that on November 11, 2020, one of our teacher's email accounts was accessed without authorization by an unknown individual and misused to send highly offensive and harassing emails to students and other members of the community.
"The content of the emails transmitted is beyond troubling and constitutes an affront to the core values of our District," board members said.
Following the discovery of the breach, district staff "enhanced the account security" of the teacher's hacked account and forced all other account holders to reset their passwords, according to the statement.
Subscribe
"We promptly notified law enforcement and are cooperating with their investigation. We are also conducting an investigation of the incident with the assistance of a professional forensic firm," the board statement said.
"Please know that the District will not tolerate any acts of hate speech, racism or harassment and will pursue all measures to rectify the harm. "
The joint statement offered no further details about the content of the emails in question or number that were sent. District 219 Chief Legal Officer Ray Chung did not immediately respond to a request for additional information regarding the incident.
Skokie, IL
|
News
|
6d
Blago Freed, AJ's Mom Sentenced, COVID Takes Hold: 2020 In IL
A look back at the stories that shocked us, touched our hearts and made a difference in Illinois in 2020.
Shannon Antinori's profile picture
Shannon Antinori, Patch Staff
Verified Patch Staff Badge
Blago Freed, AJ's Mom Sentenced, COVID Takes Hold: 2020 In IL
Thank
Reply
Share
According to the district, the board's joint statement was read at the District 219 board meeting Tuesday.
Board members said district officials will look for ways to improve security measures as part of the investigation.
Their statement also reminded students and staff that district officials will never request password credentials via email.
Jonah Meadows's profile picture
Jonah Meadows, Patch Staff
Verified Patch Staff Badge
Posted Fri, Nov 20, 2020 at 5:35 pm CT
|
Updated Fri, Nov 20, 2020 at 6:13 pm CT
Replies (3)
An investigation is underway until who gained unauthorized access to the email account of a teacher at a Niles Township High School District 219, according to a statement from the school board.
An investigation is underway until who gained unauthorized access to the email account of a teacher at a Niles Township High School District 219, according to a statement from the school board. (Nicole Bertic/Patch)
SKOKIE, IL — Someone hijacked the email account of a teacher in Niles Township High School District 219 last week and used it to send offensive emails to students and community members, according to a statement from the school board.
Board members said they cherish the district's diversity and efforts at achieving equity for its students and an environment free from racism and discrimination.
"We also place a high value on the security of our communications," they said. "In this context, we were all shocked and left in disbelief to learn that on November 11, 2020, one of our teacher's email accounts was accessed without authorization by an unknown individual and misused to send highly offensive and harassing emails to students and other members of the community.
"The content of the emails transmitted is beyond troubling and constitutes an affront to the core values of our District," board members said.
Following the discovery of the breach, district staff "enhanced the account security" of the teacher's hacked account and forced all other account holders to reset their passwords, according to the statement.
Subscribe
"We promptly notified law enforcement and are cooperating with their investigation. We are also conducting an investigation of the incident with the assistance of a professional forensic firm," the board statement said.
"Please know that the District will not tolerate any acts of hate speech, racism or harassment and will pursue all measures to rectify the harm. "
The joint statement offered no further details about the content of the emails in question or number that were sent. District 219 Chief Legal Officer Ray Chung did not immediately respond to a request for additional information regarding the incident.
Skokie, IL
|
News
|
6d
Blago Freed, AJ's Mom Sentenced, COVID Takes Hold: 2020 In IL
A look back at the stories that shocked us, touched our hearts and made a difference in Illinois in 2020.
Shannon Antinori's profile picture
Shannon Antinori, Patch Staff
Verified Patch Staff Badge
Blago Freed, AJ's Mom Sentenced, COVID Takes Hold: 2020 In IL
Thank
Reply
Share
According to the district, the board's joint statement was read at the District 219 board meeting Tuesday.
Board members said district officials will look for ways to improve security measures as part of the investigation.
Their statement also reminded students and staff that district officials will never request password credentials via email.
