Posted on 05/22/2015 4:07:03 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Hackers have struck one of the world's largest internet dating websites, leaking the highly sensitive sexual information of almost four million users onto the web.
The stolen data reveals the sexual preferences of users, whether they're gay or straight, and even indicates which ones might be seeking extramarital affairs. In addition, the hackers have revealed email addresses, usernames, dates of birth, postal codes and unique internet addresses of users' computers.
Channel 4 News has been investigating the cyber underworld, discovering which websites have been hacked and exposing the trade in personal information of millions of people through so-called "dark web" sites.
Secretive forum
The investigation led to a secretive forum in which a hacker nicknamed ROR[RG] posted the details of users of Adult FriendFinder. The site boasts 63 million users worldwide and claims more than 7 million British members. It bills itself as a "thriving sex community", and as a result users often share sensitive sexual information when they sign up.
The information of 3.9m Adult FriendFinder members has been leaked, including those who told the site to delete their accounts.
Shaun Harper is one of those whose details have been published. "The site seemed OK, but when I got into it I realised it wasn't really for me, I was looking for something longer term. But by that time I'd already given my information. You couldn't get into the site without handing over information.
"I deleted my account, so I thought the information had gone. These sites are meant to be secure."
Spam emails
Within hours of the data being leaked, hackers on the forum said they intended to hit victims with spam emails, and Mr Harper has been targeted with virused emails since his information was made public.
Online crime experts believe the after the initial spam email campaign, hackers will now begin trawling through the data for potential blackmail targets. The spreadsheets contain addresses linked to dozens of government and armed services personnel, including members of the British Army.
"Where you've got names, dates of birth, ZIP codes, then that provides an opportunity to actually target specific individuals whether they be in government or healthcare for example, so you can profile that person and send more targeted blackmail-type emails," says Charlie McMurdie, a cybercrime specialist for PwC and former head of the Metropolitan Police's electronic crime unit.
The front page of Adult FriendFinder, which is based in California, features photos of dozens of attractive young women. Yet the hacked data, contained in 15 spreadsheets, reveals how few females appear to use Adult FriendFinder.
Among the 26,939 users with a UK email address, for example, there are just 1,596 who identified as female: a ratio of one woman to every 16 men.
FriendFinder Networks Inc, which owns Adult FriendFinder, told Channel 4 News:
"FriendFinder Networks Inc… understands and fully appreciates the seriousness of the issue.
"We have already begun working closely with law enforcement and have launched a comprehensive investigation with the help of leading third-party forensics expert.
"We pledge to take the appropriate steps needed to protect our customers if they are affected."
Momma said, “Even when nobody is watching, someone is watching...”
Probably not all that different from other internet dating sites
Except this is a “sex site”, not a dating site. I suppose those females are pretty worn out at this point!
Sandra fluck or what ever her name is is a member. it’s all good..
I have been on and off mainstream dating sites (not sex sites like AFF) for 8 years.
In my experience there is no shortage of available women looking for relationships on the non-sex sites.
Awesome news.
That site has pop ups every where.
Who (if they are my age) wants to see porn dating sites when they search for classic car pictures. Or if they are looking for a particular song.
Screw them and their customers.
Err, I meant to say... isn’t this awful.
great handle......hope you didn’t have to use it on one of those dates??
On all of them, actually. ;-)
The true measure of character is how you act when people aren’t watching.
I wonder how many of the self-identified “women” are actually men? Not only that, I suspect many of the real women are probably ones no man would date anyway.
Let’s be honest. These sites are primarily for predatory behavior from both sides.
According to my email inbox, I have an infinite supply of Russian beauties who want to meet me. I still got the mojo, baby.
Also known as a SausageFest...
I know a woman who uses it. She’s crazy and needs a constant supply of men to whine, moan and b1tch at. When they find out she doesn’t have money or a willingness to have sex, they usually leave.
They should call these sites what they are: Crazy women and Deadbeat Men.
Actually, I have met a lot of nice ladies on the mainstream sites (Match, POF, OurTime and even eHarmony), although didn't progress to actual relationships with all of them.
I even met the love of my life on Match, although unfortunately she died two and a half years later.
Now I'm seeing a very nice lady that I met on OurTime back at the beginning of 2014.
I honestly don't understand how anybody meets suitable dating/relationship candidates in this day and age without going online. I think it's an increasingly rare occurrence to just meet someone in the normal course of daily life -- especially when you're past the age of hanging out in bars to meet people.
These types of sites aren’t like eHarmony.
First clue as to the identity of the hacker. He is a large Japanese guy. LOL [Lg]
Yes. I know.
That's because they don't want to have sex.
Aw crap. They are going to discover my praying-mantis fetish.
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