How did Harvard's alumni data get breached?

Harvard's alumni and donor database was accessed by an unauthorized party following a phone phishing attack that tricked an individual into providing system access.

Are other Ivy League schools like Princeton also hacked?

Yes, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia have also recently experienced significant data breaches affecting their alumni, donors, and students.

Why are universities frequent targets for hackers?

Universities are attractive targets because they store large databases containing personal identities, financial records, and donor information, making them a goldmine for attackers.

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Ivy League Universities Targeted by Hackers

7 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Harvard's alumni database was accessed via a phone phishing attack.
Princeton, UPenn, and Columbia also recently experienced data breaches.
Universities are attractive targets due to vast amounts of sensitive data.

Ivy League Universities Targeted by Hackers

A series of cyber incidents are targeting elite universities, exposing sensitive data and highlighting vulnerabilities in their security systems. Harvard recently confirmed a breach of its alumni and donor database, which was compromised after a phone-based phishing attack tricked an employee into granting unauthorized access.

This incident follows similar breaches at other Ivy League institutions. Princeton reported a database compromise, the University of Pennsylvania experienced unauthorized access to its alumni and development systems, and Columbia suffered a massive breach affecting nearly 870,000 individuals, including students and applicants.

These attacks underscore how universities, holding vast amounts of personal, financial, and donor information, have become predictable targets for cybercriminals. The incidents suggest attackers are exploiting common weaknesses across these sprawling IT environments, making robust security measures and vigilant data protection critical for both institutions and individuals.