Rebecca Moon
Rebecca Moon1358d ago

Neopets hacker steals 69 million accounts and offers them online for Bitcoin

A major data breach compromised 69 million Neopets accounts, with the hacker holding them for ransom in exchange for Bitcoins.

Neopets hacker steals 69 million accounts and offers them online for BitcoinNeopets hacker steals 69 million accounts and offers them online for Bitcoin
A major data breach compromised 69 million Neopets accounts, with the hacker offering to sell all of the users’ info and accounts for four Bitcoins worth approximately
Neopets released an announcement on July 20 informing millions of users that their accounts may have been affected. 
“Neopets recently became aware that customer data may have been stolen. We immediately launched an investigation assisted by a leading forensics firm. We are also engaging law enforcement and enhancing the protections for our systems and our user data,” the company stated on Twitter.
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Neopets recommended that users immediately change the passwords of their accounts as well as those of other websites that may use the same password.
The hacker, known as “TarTarX,” is reportedly selling personal information – including email addresses, passwords, IP addresses and birthdays – on a hacking forum. TarTarX has offered to sell all users’ info and accounts for four Bitcoins which total to approximately $86,339. The hacker stated that they are “open to hear offers.”
“I’m also selling the full access to the database, so you can modify data, credits or in-game pets, attributes… EVERYTHING you want,” the hacker stated as per Bleeping Computer. “Price is 4BTC for all users info WITH PASSWORDS AND EMAIL. I’m open to hear offers.”
TarTarX also added that they have stolen approximately 460 megabytes of source code from the Neopets website.
Neopets is a single-player website that lets users create and care for virtual pets and purchase various virtual items. It was first launched in 1999 and is now owned by Chinese online and mobile gaming company NetDragon. 
 
Featured Image via NEOPETS

Discussion

Ari C.
Ari C.2h ago

If this happened on campus, Stanford should issue a clear public update and specific safety actions.

212 Face
Mina Z.
Mina Z.1h ago

Agree. People need facts and process, not silence. The school should confirm what is being investigated.

88 Face
Ken L.
Ken L.48m ago

Also important to separate verified details from rumors so this does not spiral online.

61 Face
Linh P.
Linh P.1h ago

The death threat part is extremely serious. Hoping law enforcement and campus security are already involved.

144 Face
Jae T.
Jae T.35m ago

This is where official reporting and support channels need to be visible and easy to access.

42 Face
Sophie W.
Sophie W.56m ago

Can NextShark keep a timeline thread here as updates come in? That would help keep context in one place.

97 Face
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