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Hackers Claim They Possess Details of 120 Million Facebook Accounts, Publish Private Messages From 81,000 of Them (bbc.com)

Posted by msmash on from the rogue-extensions dept.

Andrei Zakharov, reporting for BBC: Hackers appear to have compromised and published private messages from at least 81,000 Facebook users' accounts. The perpetrators told the BBC Russian Service that they had details from a total of 120 million accounts, which they were attempting to sell, although there are reasons to be sceptical about that figure. Facebook said its security had not been compromised. And the data had probably been obtained through malicious browser extensions.

Facebook added it had taken steps to prevent further accounts being affected. The BBC understands many of the users whose details have been compromised are based in Ukraine and Russia. However, some are from the UK, US, Brazil and elsewhere. The hackers offered to sell access for 10 cents (8p) per account. However, their advert has since been taken offline. "We have contacted browser-makers to ensure that known malicious extensions are no longer available to download in their stores," said Facebook executive Guy Rosen. "We have also contacted law enforcement and have worked with local authorities to remove the website that displayed information from Facebook accounts."

4 of 37 comments (clear)

  1. Yet another reason.... by cayenne8 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    ....NOT to be on Facebook....

    Or most other social media.

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    1. Re:Yet another reason.... by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It's clearly a reason to not trust them with sensitive data. Tell us the risks of sharing your kids' Halloween pics with Aunt Helen?

      Shades of meaning are essential for accurate risk analysis.

      --
      My God, it's Full of Source!
      OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
  2. Facebook Statement by forkfail · · Score: 4, Insightful

    We are shocked and outraged at this illegal and illicit activity. We at Facebook take protecting the data we collect very seriously. How else are we supposed to get top dollar for selling it to the highest bidder?

    --
    Check your premises.
  3. Re:Uses by phantomflanflinger · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Then you might as well not use it. I hear this all the time: "I only use FB for a) and b) and sometimes c), blah blah...." Just close your account then.

    There will come a day when having never used social media will be an accolade - and it can't come too soon.

    --
    shin phantomflanflinger