Advanced Search

Share Coverage



Category: Computers and Technology / Hacking / Business, Economics and Finance

Data from over 1 billion users stolen in massive hack, Yahoo says

Thursday, 15 Dec 2016 06:46:24

The breach occurred in August 2013. (ABC News)

Yahoo says it believes hackers stole data from more than one billion user accounts in August 2013, in what is thought to be the largest data breach at an email provider.

Key points:

  • Yahoo reveals a 2013 security breach affected 1 billion users
  • It is thought to be the largest data breach at an email provider
  • The company is urging customers to ensure their passwords and security questions have been changed since 2013

The California company was also home to what is now most likely the second largest hack in history, one that exposed 500 million Yahoo accounts. The company disclosed that breach in September.

Yahoo said it has not identified the intrusion associated with the 2013 theft.

Yahoo said the information stolen may include names, email addresses, phone numbers, birthdates and security questions and answers.

The company said it believes bank account information and payment card data were not affected.

Hackers may have also stolen passwords from the affected accounts.

Technically, those passwords should be secure. Yahoo said they were scrambled twice — once by encryption and once by another technique called hashing.

But hackers have become adept at cracking secured passwords by assembling huge dictionaries of similarly scrambled phrases and matching them against stolen password databases like Yahoo's.

That could mean trouble for any users who re-used their Yahoo password for other online accounts.

Questions for major US telco

Yahoo, which is being acquired by Verizon, said an unauthorised third party had stolen the data in the 2013 breach and that it was working closely with law enforcement.

The internet of hacked things


From airlines to traffic lights, hackers are infiltrating the world we live in. Explore some notorious cases.

The hack revelation raises fresh questions about Verizon's $US4.8 billion proposed acquisition of Yahoo, and whether the big mobile carrier will seek to modify or abandon its bid.

If the hacks cause a user backlash against Yahoo, the company's services would not be as valuable to Verizon.

The telecom giant wants Yahoo and its many users to help it build a digital ad business.

In a statement, Verizon said it would evaluate the situation as Yahoo investigates and will review the "new development before reaching any final conclusions".

Spokesman Bob Varettoni declined to answer further questions.

Yahoo said it would require users to change their passwords and invalidate security questions so they can not be used to hack into accounts.

Reuters/AP

AustraliaPlus


 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend