Software system hacks aren't reserved for high-profile corporations or governments. Just ask Harvard, where last month an intrusion was discovered on the university's Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Central Administration information technology networks. The result of the intrusion is the likely leak of usernames and passwords belonging to university students and personnel.

An official release on Harvard's website says that the university has been working with external information security experts and federal law enforcement to investigate the incident, as well as strengthen IT environments across the university. The release also provides FAQ's and contact information for students in need of assistance.

According to university officials, Harvard login credentials used to access individual computers and university email accounts were exposed during the intrusion. There was, however, no evidence of personal data, research data, or PIN System credentials having been exposed.

The university suggested an update to all devices synced to Harvard accounts with a new password, including desktops, laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Moreover, Harvard officials suggested that the passwords for university email and university web accounts should be changed in an action that applied to affiliates of Harvard’s central administration, FAS, Harvard Divinity School, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, the Graduate School of Design, the Graduate School of Education, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the School of Public Health.

The Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School or Harvard School of Dental Medicine, were unaffected at the time of the release.