STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) -- An official at Mississippi State University said there is no need to worry after a group hacked the school's computer system and obtained usernames, addresses and passwords of more than 900 students and staff.
"We were hacked by the same group that hacked into the Syrian government," said MSU Director of University Relations Sid Salter.
The Brazilian Cyber Army bragged online Wednesday it accessed the MSU system.
"We don't know if this hacking was sport or a stunt," Salter said.
"It's a little scary because all of our personal information is on there, including parents if they pay for our tuition. That's not information I want everyone to know," said MSU student George Elley.
"There were 535 accounts hacked. No student accounts were hacked. Faculy and staff were involved," Salter explained.
An investigation indicated the information gathered by the group was already available in print and digital directories.
"No secure data, Social Security, credit card information, health information or grades were leaked," said Salter.
"It doesn't scare me, but it does worry me that there are people out there trying to get information, whether it's financial — who knows what they're trying to get," said Lucas Muniz, a student.
"I would definetly hope MSU was taking measures from preventing something like that from happening," stated student John Thompson.
The university said prosecuting the group is unlikely. However, administrators added they will seek prosecution if they gather information on the whereabouts of the hacking group.
"There's no identity at this point. We don't know where that army is at this point," said Salter.
As a precaution, administrators advised those affected by the hacking to change their account passwords.
