SAN ANTONIO – More than 42,000 students are starting the fall semester Monday at the University of Texas at San Antonio, including about 6,000 freshmen, after an attempted cyberattack delayed the first day of classes.
UTSA is also welcoming 90 new full-time faculty members and offering 10 new degree programs this semester. The new programs include health sciences, film and media, and politics and law.
The university told students and staff to reset their passwords after the attempted cyberattack.
Some students said the delayed start provided them extra time to prepare for the semester, including finding the buildings where their classes will be held.
Others said they were not overly concerned because they already take steps to protect their accounts.
“What I’ve done is change my password recently and not have all the same passwords for my info,” UTSA student David Soza said. “That’s the fastest way you can do it.”
UTSA student Samantha Trevino said she updates her passwords regularly.
“I really wasn’t (worried) because I have different passwords, and I was changing it every semester,” Trevino said.
Another student, Ava Hermes, said she responds quickly when she receives security alerts.
“Anytime I get a security alert, I go ahead and change all my passwords to make sure they’re impenetrable,” Hermes said.
Some professors, however, are concerned the delayed start could affect their syllabuses and lesson plans.
This is the second time this year UTSA students have been alerted about a possible hack involving the university’s systems. Final exams were delayed in May over similar concerns.
Cybersecurity experts often warn that young people and college students can be at higher risk for identity theft.
- To help protect personal information, people are encouraged to use strong PINs and passwords
- Set up two-factor authentication when possible
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi to log in to financial accounts or make online purchases
- Consumers can also freeze their credit for free through Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. A credit freeze can help prevent someone from opening new credit accounts in another person’s name.
Other San Antonio schools, including Trinity University, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Alamo Colleges and the University of the Incarnate Word, are also starting their fall semesters on Monday.
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