Blair server hacked

An unauthorized user temporarily gained access to Blair's Internet server over Spring Break, forcing system operators to disable all BEN and binx accounts.

The server, known as binx, was undamaged, but the hacker may have collected personal information. "It looks like their main concern was trying to gather passwords," said binx system operator John McManigle.

All binx accounts have been locked until students have changed their passwords.

According to McManigle, all programs and configurations were "hand-checked" by the system operators and all insecure binx functions such as FTP (file transfer protocol) have been disabled.

McManigle says magnet computer science and research students as well as Silver Chips Online staff have been given the chance to change their passwords and user support specialist Peter Hammond is talking "one-on-one" with teachers about the problem. Other students can go to BEN help to change their passwords between 11 and 12 during the school day.