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User information from LinkedIn’s 2012 data breach leaked online

In 2012, professional connections service LinkedIn saw a data breach in which 100 million users’ information was stolen. Strangely, it would appear that the hackers responsible held onto some of the data from that hack for four years, and have only now leaked it online.

“Yesterday, we became aware of an additional set of data that had just been released that claims to be email and hashed password combinations of more than 100 million LinkedIn members from that same theft in 2012,” LinkedIn wrote in a blog post.

To minimise the impact to its users, the company said that it has invalidated the passwords of the accounts impacted. If your details have been compromised, you could also get a message from LinkedIn telling you to reset your password.

“We take the safety and security of our members’ accounts seriously. For several years, we have hashed and salted every password in our database, and we have offered protection tools such as email challenges and dual-factor authentication,” it said.

In an update, LinkedIn added that it has taken things a bit further, and not only invalidated the passwords of those affected by the breach, but all accounts created prior to the 2012 hack.

Needless to say, the company isn’t very pleased with the events that unfolded.

“We have demanded that parties cease making stolen password data available and will evaluate potential legal action if they fail to comply. In the meantime, we are using automated tools to attempt to identify and block any suspicious activity that might occur on affected accounts.”

Even if you aren’t affected, it is always a good idea to change your passwords at least once every six months.

[Image – CC by 2.0/aNto]

 

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