Do Not Attempt to Access Canvas
TL;DR: Nobody knows if it’s safe yet, if you can get in you aren’t supposed to. Wait for UCOP or OIT to give the green light. Take this opportunity to go touch grass or something. Updates here: https://www.oit.uci.edu/2026/05/07/update-canvas-nationwide-security-breach/
There are some reports that Canvas is working again. I would not trust it at this point. Maybe a DNS cache or something allowed you to get to the website. However, we have no clue on whether the backend is still compromised. UCI OIT and UCOP have said they are intentionally disabling access at this time. You are not supposed to be able to access Canvas. In addition, we have very little information about the breach. For all we know, the hackers had (and likely still have) full control and might be able to send malicious payloads over the compromised servers. Wait for status updates here: https://www.oit.uci.edu/2026/05/07/update-canvas-nationwide-security-breach/
EDIT 1:
From UCI OIT:
Update: May 8, 2026 10:20 a.m.
Service restoration status
Although Instructure has indicated that Canvas is available for most users, at this time UC Office of the President is seeking greater assurances from the vendor on both system safety and on the integrity of the data in it. We will share an update as soon as we have one, but access is unlikely to be restored until this afternoon at the earliest.
EDIT 2:
From UCI OIT:
Update: May 8, 2026 | 5:30 p.m.
Canvas is Still Offline
Instructure has indicated that Canvas is available for most users. However, third-party evaluators are still working to verify the full remediation of the threat created by the recent security incident. Out of an abundance of caution, UCOP has recommended that Canvas remain offline at most UCs, including UCI, until it is certain that bringing it back online will not create further security risk.
We know how disruptive this continued downtime is, particularly for those of you in the middle of exams and major assignments. We will move to restore access as soon as we are able to, and we appreciate your patience and your flexibility with students and colleagues in the meantime.
We will continue to share additional information as it becomes available on the OIT website. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.