Urgent: 31 Million Users Must Reset Passwords Now: Critical Site Security Alert
Internet Archive Hacked: 31 Million User Records Compromised, Website Down
In a surprising turn of events, the Internet Archive, also known as the Wayback Machine, has been hacked. The organization, which is responsible for preserving internet content, has been compromised, and the consequences are far-reaching. A whopping 31 million user records have been stolen, and the website is currently down.
The Wayback Machine’s Dark Past
The Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine takes its name from a character from the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon show, Mr. Peabody, a talking dog who wore glasses and was a genius. Mr. Peabody and his sidekick, Sherman, would often travel back in time using the Wayback Machine. However, the real-life Wayback Machine, unfortunately, has a much darker history.
The Hack
The threat actor responsible for the hack shared the compromised data on the online platform "Have I Been Pwned?" (HIBP), a website that helps users determine if their email addresses or phone numbers have been compromised in data breaches. The stolen data includes authentication information, such as email addresses, password change timestamps, screen names, and hashed passwords, from the Internet Archive’s user database. The file, titled "ia_users.sql," weighs in at a whopping 6.4GB.
Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks
In a bizarre twist, the Internet Archive has been targeted by not one, but two separate DDoS attacks this week. These attacks aimed to overwhelm the website, making it difficult for users to access it. The second attack struck this morning, further complicating the situation.
What You Can Do
If you’ve created an account on the Internet Archive, it’s essential to change your password immediately. As a precautionary measure, we recommend that all affected users exercise extreme caution when accessing the Internet Archive website. Keep a close eye on your online accounts and consider using a password manager to keep your credentials safe.
Stay Vigilant and Informed
As the situation continues to unfold, we will monitor the situation closely and provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, it’s crucial to prioritize your online security and take proactive measures to protect your digital well-being.
