After a corrupt email collected students’ Google passwords, the technology department reset all STA Gmail, Moodle and Powerschool passwords during Activity today.

According to an all-school email from Tech Support head Jeff Zimmerman, a fraudulent email was collecting STA-linked Google passwords and using the compromised accounts to send the email to more people.

“Instead of tracking down those of you who did enter their usernames and [passwords],” Zimmerman wrote, “[the technology department] decided to just reset [all passwords] (Faculty, Staff, & Students).”

Despite some mild inconvenience, this change will not have a large effect on STA students or faculty.

“Mostly it will just be annoying at first, having to remember a new password,” Zimmerman addressed in a following email. “Beyond that, I don’t see it affecting the day-to-day process once everyone gets used to the new passwords.”

However, Zimmerman advises students to be cautious with all account information.

“Verify that the site asking is [legitimate] and is for a service or resource that you requested,” Zimmerman said. “It never hurts to double check and be certain before giving out account or personal information. If you are uncertain [or] hesitant, then please reach out to either [technology coordinator] Matt [Stewart] or myself and we will be happy to look into it and let you know.”