Feds say FAMU computers may have been hacked

Federal investigators looking into unauthorized grade changes at FAMU said that the university's computers may have been hacked.

"Computer hacking (or unauthorized access) is a federal violation if certain factors are found to exist,"said Alan Sprowls spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office. Details regarding FAMU's grade-tampering investigation have been released. While not common, security breeches are not new in Florida, on Nov. 21, University of Florida officials confirmed that more than 400 former students might have been put at risk for identity theft after their Social Security numbers were posted on a computing & networking services Web site.

Grade tampering issues are not new, said Barmak Nassirian, the associate executive director of The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. "Fraudulent grades and fraudulent credentials have always been with us," Nassirian said. "What used to take breaking into a Registrar's Office can now be done from the comfort of your own home."

Also see: FAMU calls Feds to in investigate grade changes