What Company Was Breached?
Scholastic, the global leader in educational publishing, is widely recognized for its books, magazines, educational materials, and tools aimed at children, teachers, and schools. As a trusted name in K-12 education, Scholastic serves millions of students and families with educational products, including book fairs, online learning platforms, and reading programs. The company has a long history of providing resources for schools and parents to foster children’s literacy and learning.
When Did the Breach Occur?
On January 8, 2025, Scholastic reported that cybercriminals had successfully breached their systems, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive customer and student data. The breach exposed personal information for over 8 million individuals.
What Was Stolen?
The breach exposed a range of sensitive data, including:
- Student Names and Birthdates
- Email Addresses of students, parents, and staff
- Mailing Addresses used for book orders, subscriptions, and educational materials
- Purchase History for books and educational products, including payment card details
- Subscription Information for Scholastic’s digital tools and educational platforms
- Payment Card Information (potentially exposed for online purchases and subscriptions)
- Parent/Guardian Contact Information
- Educational Data such as book club sign-ups and digital learning tool access
How Can This Breach Be Used Against You?
Phishing Attacks
With access to email addresses, cybercriminals could target students, parents, and educators with highly personalized phishing emails. These could appear to be from Scholastic, prompting recipients to click on malicious links or download attachments that may install malware or steal further sensitive information. Phishing attempts could also request that victims confirm payment card details or share account login credentials.
Impersonation and Identity Theft
The stolen data, such as names, birthdates, and contact information, could allow criminals to impersonate students or parents. This could result in fraudulent purchases of books, unauthorized changes to subscription information, or even the misuse of payment details. Attackers could also leverage this data for identity theft, opening accounts or applying for loans in victims’ names.
Exploiting Payment Card Information
With access to payment card details from orders and subscriptions, hackers could use this information to make unauthorized transactions. Parents who made book purchases, paid for school programs, or subscribed to online educational tools could see fraudulent charges on their bank statements.
How to Protect Yourself
If you believe your personal information was exposed in this breach, take immediate steps to secure your data:
Talk to Your Kids About Online Safety
In light of the Scholastic breach, it’s essential to educate your children about the risks of phishing emails and other cyber threats. Explain that their information, such as names, grades, and contact details, may have been exposed in the breach. Make sure they understand not to click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails, even if they appear to be from Scholastic or other trusted services. Emphasize that they should ask you or another trusted adult before responding to any unexpected or suspicious messages.
Be Wary of Phishing Emails
Monitor your inbox for any suspicious messages. Do not click on links or open attachments in emails that seem unusual or are from unknown senders, especially if they claim to be from Scholastic or any related services. Look out for emails that request sensitive information, like account logins, payment card numbers, or personal details. Always double-check the sender’s email address, and if in doubt, contact Scholastic directly to verify any communication.
Change Your Passwords
Immediately change passwords for any accounts that may be linked to the breached data (such as Scholastic accounts or other services where you use similar login credentials). Make sure your new passwords are strong, unique, and difficult to guess. Using a password manager can help you store and create secure passwords for all your accounts.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible for accounts related to Scholastic, email, and financial services. This adds an extra layer of protection, requiring you to verify your identity through a second method (such as a text message or authentication app) before logging into your accounts.
Monitor Financial Accounts
Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized charges, especially if you’ve made purchases or subscribed to Scholastic services recently. If you notice anything suspicious, report it immediately to your bank or card provider.
Consider Identity Theft Protection
Given the potential exposure of payment card details and personal information, enrolling in identity theft protection services could be a wise decision. These services can help monitor your credit and alert you to any unusual activity, offering an added layer of protection against misuse of your data.
How OptMsg Will Help You Stay Safe
In the wake of the Scholastic breach, phishing attacks are one of the most immediate threats. OptMsg, a leader in email security and privacy solutions, offers tools to protect you and your family from these types of cyber threats.
OptMsg offers:
- Opt-In Email Filtering: Parents can set up secure email accounts for their children with OptMsg, ensuring that only approved senders can contact them. This effectively blocks phishing emails, malicious attachments, and other harmful communications that might otherwise land in their inbox.
- Encrypted Messaging: Any communication between students, parents, or educators using OptMsg is fully encrypted. This ensures that sensitive messages remain secure and private, without the risk of being intercepted or exposed. OptMsg does not share, sell, or use the content of these messages for any purpose.
- Data Stays Private: Unlike free email services that monetize user data, OptMsg prioritizes user privacy. Your personal information and emails will never be used for advertising, marketing, or other commercial purposes.
By using OptMsg, you can help safeguard your family from the dangers of phishing and other online threats following a breach like Scholastic’s, and better protect both personal and educational data.
Relevant Links:
Stay informed. Stay secure.
At OptMsg, we’re committed to providing state-of-the-art email security to help protect you from the evolving risks of data breaches and cyber threats. If you’re concerned about your email security or need help setting up a secure email solution for your family, contact us today to learn more.
