Cindy Sepulveda
Staff Writer
If you’ve ever used Chegg to save money on textbooks, your information could be at risk. Chegg, an education technology company based in Santa Clara, experienced a security breach that affects 40 million users.
Chegg plans to reset passwords for all of its users following the discovery of a security incident that took place in early Spring.
In an email, Chegg notified its users that, “On September 19, 2018, we learned that, on or around April 29, 2018, an unauthorized party gained access to one of our databases that hosts user data. An investigation, supported by a third-party forensics firm, was commenced. We have determined that some of your account information may have been obtained, which is why you are receiving this notice.”
The data that may have been obtained by hackers includes name, username, email addresses, shipping addresses, and passwords, said the tech company, but doesn’t believe that any financial data was obtained.
In response, Chegg said it will prompt all users to reset passwords effective Sept. 26. That database includes users for Chegg’s website but also other products, such as citation service EasyBib, which it owns.
As a reminder, password security is important, and all other online accounts associated with your Chegg account should be changed. It is recommended that all users change their passwords frequently using long and complex passwords.
For information about Identity Theft, visit www.ftc/gov/idtheft
