Douglass (Berks) >> State police are conducting an investigation after Pine Forge Academy received an anonymous email threatening the school’s computer system.
On Dec. 16, an email from an unknown person was sent to Pine Forge Academy threatening the destruction of its computer system and property if demands were not met, according to a press release issued by state police in Reading.
The writer told the school that he or she worked for “Heart of the People” and described themselves as a “hacker” who had already taken out 57 institutions. The hacker further explained that he was contacted to do the cyber attack for $900,000 by some Pine Forge Academy alumni but that he or she would not follow through with the attack if the school paid $1 million.
Pine Forge Academy, a coeducational Seventh-day Adventist boarding school that serves students in grades 9-12, issued a safety reminder from Nicole Falconer, the school’s headmistress, regarding the ransom demand.
“We have no information about why this monetary ransom was made. The school authorities are cooperating with police authorities as they investigate this matter and will keep us posted on any further developments,” the reminder stated.
After Falconer discovered the message, she and the administrative team notified authorities, who reviewed the message, according to the statement.
Authorities then checked the school grounds, determined the area to be safe and advised administration to remain diligent in safety protocol. Parents then received alerts about the police activity on campus.
The investigation is ongoing.
