Washington State University trying to stop sophisticated hacking attempt

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Washington State University administrators say they are trying to stop a sophisticated hacking attempt they discovered more than a month ago.

The Spokesman-Review reports that administrators notified students and staff Thursday that they noticed suspicious activity in the school's email and directory systems July 8.

The university says it began an investigation with help from federal investigators and a private security firm. According to the school, there is no evidence that hackers have accessed Social Security numbers or banking information.

But it's possible that they could have stolen student and staff user names and passwords for university web services. Washington State University urged people to change their passwords.

Interim President Daniel Bernardo says the school waited to notify students and staff to avoid tipping off the hackers.