Stanford University warns of threats from user hacks

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Stanford University is asking users to reset their passwords following the discovery of an attack that has left users and staff vulnerable to potential identity theft.

“Stanford treats information security with the utmost seriousness and is continually upgrading its defenses against cyber attacks,” the university said. “Like many institutions, the university repels millions of attempted attacks on its information systems each day. In recent months, a range of large organisations have also reported attacks involving their information systems.”

The company is currently unable to provide details on the scope and range of the attack, though the breach is believed to be confined to the university's campus and is related to a series of security breaches on US companies.

A hallmark of the US education system, Stanford has emerged as a top source of information technology entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. The university has produced technology leaders including Sergei Brin, Jerry Yang and Larry Page among other.

The hack comes in the wake of numerous other high profile data thefts and password breaches at numerous firms. Earlier this week UK retailer Lakeland admitted hackers had accessed two databases, forcing the firm to reset all user passwords.

In response the government has issued letters to the top FTSE 350 companies offering them the chance for a free cyber security audit against their peers to see how they are performing.