ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- A computer hacker has gained access to the personnel records of more than 8,500 current and former employees at the University of Georgia.

The Athens Banner-Herald (http://bit.ly/R54ArA ) reports that authorities started a probe Oct. 1 after learning that the computer passwords of two UGA workers were reset by someone other than the employees.

The intruder used those accounts to look into the university's record keeping system. The UGA vice president for information technology, Timothy Chester, said it appears to be a planned intrusion by someone who knew which accounts to attack and where sensitive information was kept.

The compromised information includes names and Social Security numbers.

UGA plans to contact people who were affected. The university will provide credit monitoring to those who request help.