Montgomery County students’ data exposed in Wheaton breach, officials confirm

SILVER SPRING, Md. - A student may face criminal charges or school discipline after illegally downloading information from more than 1,000 students at Wheaton High School, according to district officials.

Montgomery County Public Schools says the data breach happened Oct. 3 and impacted 1,344 Naviance accounts tied to Wheaton High School in Silver Spring. Naviance is an online program that enables students to prepare for college and careers.

The district released a statement regarding the breach on Tuesday.

DOWNLOAD: The FOX 5 DC News app for local breaking news and weather

The breach included everything from the students’ personal information, to their grades.

District spokesman Derek Turner told The Washington Post that the student wrote a program or algorithm that tried various combinations of usernames and passwords to gain access.

Officials say the student — who does not attend Wheaton High School — was tracked down Oct. 7.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.