Phishing attack sees Edinburgh pupils locked out of online learning materials

9 May 2025, 23:14

Schoolgirls in class
Royal High School. Picture: PA

A member of staff noticed ‘suspicious’ activity on the schools and early years IT network.

Schools in Edinburgh have been targeted by a phishing attack that has resulted in students being locked out of online learning materials.

The attack was detected on Friday afternoon when a member of staff noticed “unusual and suspicious” activity on the city’s schools and early years IT network.

The council took the decision to reset passwords for all users as a “precautionary measure”, leaving staff and students unable to log into the network until they reset their password on their return to school.

Students currently sitting exams are being given “priority support” to reset their password so they can regain access to personal revision materials.

The council has advised they can go to their school on Saturday between 10.15am and 2pm where a member of staff will issue them with a new password.

The council also confirmed that no data has been compromised as a result of the attack.

Education, children and families convener Councillor James Dalgleish said: “This afternoon vigilant colleagues noticed some unusual and suspicious activity on our schools and early years IT network.

“As a result, we took the precautionary decision to immediately reset passwords for all users across our education service.

“We have contacted all parents, carers and schools to update them and explain the situation.

“I fully appreciate the impact this will have, particularly on those students preparing for their exams next week – but, unfortunately, we had no choice.

“This was a difficult but necessary decision to ensure our networks remain secure and protected.

“I want to reassure our students that they are our priority and that we are doing everything we can to make sure they can get back online as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, we are signposting them study support materials available elsewhere and individual schools will be uploading these to their websites too.

“We have created a dedicated webpage on the council website and will update this with further information as and when we get it.

“I’d like to thank colleagues for their vigilance and quick thinking today – and for their ongoing work over the weekend to minimise the impact on our students and their families.”

By Press Association

More Technology News

See more More Technology News

Social media app icons displayed on an Apple iPhone

Social media giants can ‘get on’ and tackle fraud cases, says City watchdog

Experts have warned about the risks posed by period tracking apps (Alamy/PA)

Experts warn of risks linked to period tracker apps

Data (Use and Access) Bill

Lords’ objections to Data Bill over copyright threatens its existence – minister

A primary school teacher looking stressed next to piles of classroom books

Pupils could gain more face-to-face time with teachers under AI plans

A self-driving Uber equipped with cameras and sensors drives the streets of Washington, DC

Uber to launch self-driving taxis in London next spring

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle

Investments in UK tech sector will create hundreds of jobs, says Government

Rachel Reeves, left, wearing a lab coat and putting on some disposable gloves with Peter Kyle, both standing next to a microscope

Rachel Reeves to announce £86bn for science and technology in spending review

View of the Alphawave Semi logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen

Alphawave agrees £1.8bn takeover by America’s Qualcomm

The TikTok logo displayed on a phone

TikTok creating more than 500 new British jobs as UK users top 30 million

Starmer visit to London Tech Week conference

Sir Keir Starmer vows to overcome sceptical public on ‘harnessing power’ of AI

A sign for the Post Office

More than £1 billion paid to those wronged by Horizon scandal, Government says

One in three employers believe AI will boost productivity

‘Significant challenges’ in use of AI within UK screen sector

Students use laptop computers to study in class

AI skills drive in schools to ‘put power in hands of next generation’ – Starmer

Australia will ban social media for under-16s.

Children could face 'two-hour social media limit' under new Government proposal

Peter Kyle

Minister says AI ‘does lie’ but defends Government amid copyright row

Ian Russell

Molly Russell’s father urges PM to act over online harms as ‘app cap’ considered