Amid ongoing cyber security threats and attempts across the Los Rios Community College District, a recent data breach impacted the Arts HomeBase at American River College, leaving HomeBase staff members concerned for their privacy. 

Staff members received email alerts from an unknown device that signed into their main HomeBase account on Sept. 5. It has since been confirmed to have been an iPhone from the domain name of the email that contained Apple Inc. content, though none of the staff members personally own an iPhone. Staff members questioned if it had been a student, according to ARC Arts HomeBase peer mentor Laci Fugler. 

While everyone has access to the email to use for printing purposes, no one beyond the staff members who work in the HomeBases and support centers know the password for privacy reasons, according to Fugler.

Following the data breach, staff members implemented a few changes to protect the privacy of their work areas. 

“It’s probably made us a little more on the fence with how we handle these situations now, we’re actually trying harder,” Fugler said. 

Following the protocols in this situation, staff members are immediately required to change the passwords of all domains they use.

Staff members who work at HomeBases are generally required to have a sense of security to prevent such situations, especially if they have a work laptop, according to Fugler. 

“For people who have work laptops, one of the requirements is that you should not have any personal info or any work info up on your screen if you’re going to walk away from your computer,” Fugler said. 

Additionally, blackout screens were added to every staff member’s desktop to keep fragile information protected. There were also signs placed beside the desks of staff that read ‘Staff Only’.

It is still unknown at this time who was behind the data breach, according to Fugler.