Accounts on Friend Finder Networks compromised
FriendFinder Networks Data Breach: Securing Your Online Presence
In a concerning turn of events, FriendFinder Networks, the parent company of sites including AdultFriendFinder, Cams.com, Penthouse, and Stripshow, has reportedly been hacked, exposing details of 412 million accounts [1]. This breach has leaked highly sensitive information related to sexual data and included exposure on dark web forums, heightening risks of targeted scams or blackmail.
In response to this data breach, it is crucial to take proactive steps to secure your online presence. Here are some best practices to follow:
- Change impacted account passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords for each online service to prevent credential reuse attacks.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible to add an additional verification layer beyond just passwords.
- Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity, such as unauthorized logins or changes in account details.
- Be cautious of phishing attempts or scams that may try to exploit leaked information from the breach.
- Avoid sharing sensitive personal information online, especially on platforms that have experienced breaches.
- Regularly update software and devices to patch security vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit.
- Use a reputable password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.
- If your email or passwords have been leaked, consider using breach notification services to stay informed and take action quickly.
These practices are particularly critical given the nature of the information leaked in the FriendFinder breach.
Ryan O'Leary, VP threat research center at WhiteHat Security, commented on the latest data breach, stating that users need to take precautions against data breaches. O'Leary suggested that using unique passwords for each website is essential to minimize the impact of a breach.
The LFI vulnerability, revealed by a researcher called 1×0123 on Twitter, was reportedly the means by which the network was hacked. LFI vulnerabilities allow an attacker to include files located elsewhere on the server into the output of a given application. 1×0123 posted screenshots showing LFI vulnerabilities on Adult Friend Finder.
Justine Cross, regional director at Watchful Software, commented on the latest data breach, stating that businesses must take a new stance to keep information in their care safe, as any level of breach can cause significant distress or financial harm to affected customers.
It is also advised to only log into sites that use SSL for secure connections, and to avoid clicking on links or attachments in instant messages or emails for personal security reasons.
This incident marks the second time in just over a year that the 'dating' network has had security problems. Users are encouraged to take these precautions to protect their personal information and online presence.
[1] LeakedSource.com (2016). FriendFinder Networks data breach: 412 million accounts leaked. Retrieved from https://leakedsource.com/2016/11/15/friendfinder-networks-data-breach-412-million-accounts-leaked/ [2] KrebsOnSecurity (2016). FriendFinder Networks Exposed 412 Million Account Details. Retrieved from https://krebsonsecurity.com/2016/11/friendfinder-networks-exposed-412-million-account-details/
- In light of the FriendFinder Networks data breach, it's important to prioritize cybersecurity within general-news discussions, especially focusing on potential risks related to crime-and-justice, such as targeted scams or blackmail.
- As technology advances and more data breaches occur, businesses in all sectors, including adult-oriented websites like FriendFinder Networks, must implement robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive user information.
