Medford Schools Target Of 'Malicious Attacks' On Wi-Fi

MEDFORD, MA — The Medford Public Schools are installing new hardware to improve internet access following "malicious and deliberate" attacks on its Wi-Fi capabilities, Superintendent Marice Edouard-Vincent said Friday.

Schools have invested in new Cat-6 Ethernet wiring, new wireless access points and increased bandwidth, but Edouard-Vincent emphasized the issues are not related to the district's current hardware.

"The Medford Public Schools is not the only district that has fallen victim to this," the superintendent said.

Early last week, the district responded to complaints of connectivity issues, saying attempted "intrusions" resulted in guest Wi-Fi networks being temporarily disabled. But they have since become a widespread issue that has attracted the attention of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Edouard-Vincent said DESE is assisting districts and will issue guidance on how to protect against such attacks.

"These are deliberate attacks designed to impede or terminate our internet capacity for a period of time," the superintendent said.