Hackers Leak Sensitive Data from Elite Bronx Private School After Ransomware Attack.

A notorious hacking group has leaked the personal data of students, parents, and faculty from Riverdale Country School, a prestigious private institution in the Bronx. The breach follows a ransomware attack earlier this month, exposing sensitive information on the dark web.

Riverdale Country School Hit by Ransomware Attack

In February 2025, the RansomHub cybercriminal group infiltrated Riverdale Country School’s systems, stealing vast amounts of personal data. The stolen data was then published on the dark web, making it available for malicious actors to download.

RansomHub posted a countdown clock on its darknet site, demanding a ransom from the school. After the clock expired, the hackers released 42 GB of sensitive information—including biographical details, contact information, and medical data—for free access.

By March 5, 2025, the data had been viewed over 4,000 times.

What Was Exposed in the Data Breach?

The leaked data includes:

• Personal information of students, parents, and faculty
• Contact details
• Medical records and biographical data

This breach has raised concerns over the security of private data, especially in educational institutions, which often house vast amounts of personal information.

Cybersecurity Experts Weigh In

Luke Connolly, a cybersecurity analyst at Emsisoft, told the Bronx Times that the publication of the data suggests that the school did not meet the hackers' demands. According to Connolly, cybercriminals like RansomHub are financially motivated and have no qualms about further exploiting stolen data—even after promising to delete it.

“These groups are financially driven and have zero morals,” Connolly said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the data was sold after it was promised to be deleted.”

Riverdale Country School has declined to comment on the attack, leaving many questions about their response and recovery efforts unanswered.

Paying the Ransom: A Risky Choice

While paying a ransom may seem like a solution to protect sensitive data, Connolly warned that it can fuel further cybercrime.

“Paying ransomware doesn’t guarantee that the criminals will stop,” he said. “It supports their criminal activities and may lead to more victims down the road.”

The Legal Landscape: Gaps in Data Protection for Private Schools

This breach brings attention to a significant issue in data security: the lack of comprehensive data protection regulations for private schools like Riverdale Country School.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and New York’s Part 121 2-d govern the protection of personally identifiable information (PII) at schools receiving federal funding. However, private institutions are not always subject to these protections, leaving them vulnerable to attacks like this one.

The Riverdale attack is part of a larger trend where educational institutions are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals. For instance, in December 2024, PowerSchool, a software company that handles data for schools across the U.S., was also hit by a ransomware attack that compromised data security for numerous schools, including some in New York.

A Growing Problem: Cybersecurity Threats to Education

“This has been a devastating year for K-12 schools,” Connolly said. “Many schools have been compromised, either directly or indirectly, through supply chain attacks like the one on PowerSchool.”

Connolly also pointed out that cyberattacks are not limited to schools. Highly protected sectors such as government, finance, and tech have also faced significant threats. The economic impact of these breaches is far-reaching, damaging both institutions and individuals.

What Happens Next?

As the investigation continues, Riverdale Country School will likely be facing pressure to improve its cybersecurity measures. With hackers now holding sensitive information, there’s concern about the potential for further exploitation of the stolen data.

In the meantime, students, parents, and faculty affected by the breach should take steps to monitor their personal data for any suspicious activity.

Key Takeaways:

• RansomHub, a notorious hacking group, published 42 GB of sensitive data stolen from Riverdale Country School on the dark web.
• The data exposed includes personal information, contact details, and medical records of students, parents, and faculty.
• Experts warn that paying ransom to cybercriminals could support further illegal activities.
• The lack of data protection laws for private schools like Riverdale Country School leaves them vulnerable to such attacks.
• This breach is part of a larger trend of increasing cyberattacks on schools and other organizations.