The hilarious image above can mean only one thing: dastardly hackers have struck once again!
A massive intrusion on networks including Facebook, Google and Yahoo has resulted in over 2 million usernames and passwords being compromised. From CNN:
The massive data breach was a result of keylogging software maliciously installed on an untold number of computers around the world, researchers at cybersecurity firm Trustwave said. The virus was capturing log-in credentials for key websites over the past month and sending those usernames and passwords to a server controlled by the hackers.
On Nov. 24, Trustwave researchers tracked that server, located in the Netherlands. They discovered compromised credentials for more than 93,000 websites, including:
318,000 Facebook accounts
70,000 Gmail, Google+ and YouTube accounts
60,000 Yahoo accounts
22,000 Twitter accounts
9,000 Odnoklassniki accounts (a Russian social network)
8,000 ADP accounts (ADP says it counted 2,400)
8,000 LinkedIn accounts
I’d say you might want to look into changing your passwords sooner rather than later. Trustwave reports that the key logging began on October 21 and continued for over a month, with several similar servers still in operation.
Want to know whether your computer is infected? Just searching programs and files won’t be enough, because the virus running in the background is hidden, Miller said. Your best bet is to update your antivirus software and download the latest patches for Internet browsers, Adobe and Java.
Of all the compromised services, Miller said he is most concerned with ADP. Those log-ins are typically used by payroll personnel who manage workers’ paychecks. Any information they see could be viewed by hackers until passwords are reset.
“They might be able to cut checks, modify people’s payments,” Miller speculated. (via)
I always enjoy these kind of stories, they keep you on your toes and truly show the ever expanding influence of technology on our society. Every time we like to think we have control over security, something happens to show how little that is true.
(Lead image via gettyimages)