August 2011
20,000 Credentials of Government Agencies Leaked
Event organizer database breached and siphoned over the Internet
BUCHAREST, Romania – August 23rd, 2011.BitDefender, an award-winning provider of innovative Internet security solutions, announces that it has discovered an alleged disclosure of user names and passwords.
According to a blog post signed by Thehacker12 – who describes himself as “A Hacktivist, against the Corrupt & Unjust people in India” – a list of 20,000 credentials, comprising usernames, passwords and e-mail addresses, pertaining to “US Millitary, Governments & Corporate giants”, has been stolen from “a company managing events” and made public.
“In the case of government organizations, which are under the constant scrutiny of bureaucracy critics, a data safety glitch may affect people’s perception of the State as a trustworthy partner in situations where personal data is required, for instance” said Sabina Datcu, E-Threats Analysis and Communication Specialist who discovered the post.
The leak adds to the list of security breaches and sensitive data disclosures in the last months, claimed to have been perpetrated by various hacking groups, such as LulzSec or Anonymous. However, the author of this exploit describes himself as “an AntiSec supporter”, rather than as a member of this movement.
“Although the responsible behind this incident denies his affiliation to a hacking entity, his or her deeds actually support the same side of the story, which is hacking for the sake of publicly making an anti-establishment point” said Catalin Cosoi, Head of Bitdefender Online Threats Lab.
About Bitdefender®
Bitdefender is the creator of one of the world's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified internet security software. The company is an industry pioneer, introducing and developing award-winning protection since 2001. Today, Bitdefender technology secures the digital experience of around 400 million home and corporate users across the globe.
Recently, Bitdefender won a series of important awards and accolades in the global security industry, including "Product of the Year" by AV-Comparatives, "Best Repair 2012" by AV-Test, "Editor's Choice" and "The Best Antivirus for 2013" by PC Mag, that confirmed the antivirus software’s leadership status among security products.
More information about Bitdefender's products is available from the company's security press room. Additionally, Bitdefender publishes the HOTforSecurity blog, where readers can find stories from the underworld of internet fraud, scams, malicious software - and gossip.