Massive Canvas Cyberattack Disrupts Schools Nationwide During Finals Week
A major cyberattack by hacking group ShinyHunters hit the Canvas learning platform, affecting nearly 9,000 schools globally and disrupting students' access to course materials during finals. The hackers demanded ransom by May 12.
Scale of Breach
A major cyberattack affecting Canvas disrupted universities and school districts across the United States on Thursday, as a nationwide cyberattack affecting the widely used learning platform disrupted universities and school districts during finals week as hackers demanded a ransom.
Data Compromised
ShinyHunters claimed to have stolen information from 275 million students and teachers, consisting of names, email addresses, student ID numbers, and messages among users.
Ransom Demands
Canvas login portals for about 330 educational institutions were defaced with an extortion message. The message allegedly warned schools that stolen data would be leaked unless they contacted the hackers by May 12, 2026, to negotiate a payment.
Service Restoration
Canvas, a learning management system used by thousands of schools and universities, was back online by Friday after a cyberattack disrupted students' efforts to study for finals, underscoring the education system's dependence on technology.
Affected Institutions
Schools across the country, from the University of Iowa to Virginia Tech to Harvard University, have all confirmed they have been affected by the Canvas hack.