'It's really terrifying...' Manchester University students sent chilling emails threatening to 'destroy lives'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Students at the University of Manchester say they've been left terrified after being bombarded with a series of chilling emails threatening to 'destroy lives.' The Manchester Evening News has seen emails from supposed hackers, who say they've obtained addresses, police reports, academic investigations, and health data from the university network.

In an email sent to students, lecturers and staff, the hackers are threatening to sell off the personal data to the 'highest bidder' unless they come to a resolution with the university, or if they pay a 'small fee' for the non-disclosure of information. Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link It comes after university bosses announced they had launched an investigation earlier this month, following a 'cyber security incident' in which unauthorised activity was detected on its network.

The university have since confirmed they are 'aware that some staff and students have been sent emails purporting to be from the people behind it' and are urging those affected to report the emails to their IT department.

One student, who asked to remain anonymous, told the M.E.N she was "shocked" when the emails came through this week. "The university have put a new filter system on emails to try and block unwanted messages but clearly it isn't functioning well," she said. "It's quite threatening and we have no idea if the hackers have got the data they claim to hold or are trying to scare. "Either way, it's our personal data tat the university has a duty to protect.