{"id":174824,"date":"2025-01-14T10:54:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T09:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=174824"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:39","slug":"cyberattack-still-ongoing-at-eindhoven-university-of-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2025\/01\/14\/cyberattack-still-ongoing-at-eindhoven-university-of-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyberattack still ongoing at Eindhoven University of Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are no indications that hackers have stolen data from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU\/e), the university reports, ‘but the investigation is still ongoing’. Teaching activities remain suspended.<\/p>\n

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There has been no contact with the hackers, TU\/e stated in an update, and their identity remains unknown. The university plans to bring its systems back online in phases, starting with the educational platforms.<\/p>\n

The campus was quiet on Monday. \u201cMost students chose not to come to campus\u201d, TU\/e writes, \u201cand roughly half of the usual number of staff members were present.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Stay at home\u2019<\/h2>

The university magazine Cursor<\/em> notes that the message to \u2018stay at home\u2019 has been received. However, some students are still visiting the library to read specialist literature available offline or in print.<\/p>\n

One lecturer went to campus because he was unsure whether his students, who were supposed to stop by with questions, had received the message that classes were cancelled. \u201cI\u2019m going to set up WhatsApp groups with my fifteen student assistants so I can contact them in other ways, outside the TU\/e systems\u201d, he told Cursor<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The national broadcaster NOS spoke with several students. They said they are unable to access their email or study materials, which is a problem for those preparing for exams. Local broadcaster Studio040 also visited the campus with a camera and spoke to students and staff about the difficulties posed by the hack.<\/p>\n

Malware<\/h2>

A university\u2019s network is large and complex, which means that if it is a targeted attack, hackers can usually find a way in. In some cases, malware can be installed on campus via a USB stick.<\/p>\n

However, phishing emails are a more common method. Hackers send fake emails with a malicious link or attachment, and once someone clicks on it, the hackers gain access. \u201cStay alert to phishing emails and phone calls\u201d, reads a page on TU\/e\u2019s website with frequently asked questions about the cyberattack.<\/p>\n

The university is asking students and staff to forward suspicious emails to a dedicated address. \u201cTry to gather as much information as possible to trace the source. And if you\u2019ve accidentally clicked on a link or opened an attachment, report it immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

Motive<\/h2>

The motive behind the attack remains unclear. It could be espionage \u2013 a technical university holds a lot of data and designs that may have commercial or military applications.<\/p>\n

Ransomware is another possibility. In such cases, the attack is usually less targeted. Hackers look for vulnerable entry points, and once they gain access to the network, they encrypt files and demand a ransom. Last year, a wave of cyberattacks hit Germany, primarily targeting technical universities and colleges.<\/p>\n\n\t

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