Love Virus Strikes: Sexual Data Of 4mn Adult Website Users Is Revealed By Hackers

By R. Siva Kumar - 25 May '15 15:20PM
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​Web hackers have leaked "highly sensitive sexual information" of almost 4 million users that are registered on a leading dating site called Adult FriendFinder, which will provide information for 63 million people worldwide, according to rt.

The site's database discloses the users' sexual orientation and preferences, as well as email addresses, dates of birth and even special internet addresses of computers. It also reveals whether or not the users are looking for any extra-marital affairs.

A Channel 4 News investigation said that the hackers were even targeting elderly members who had removed their accounts. A secretive forum into which a hacker nicknamed ROR[RG] posted minor details of users of Adult FriendFinder, reveals that information of 3.9 million members has been disclosed. The forum hackers explained that they were going to hit users with spam messages. A probe launched by the dating source explained that it is "working closely" with the cops.

Interestingly, the contents show that the employees of "local and federal" agencies, including law enforcement, the Navy and the Federal Aviation Administration, have used their government-provided email addresses to seek partners, according to 912communique.

So what exactly are government officials doing here with their email accounts?

There are a number of emails that have been sourced from the United States Department of Homeland Security, the FAA, the government of Augusta, Georgia; the state of Virginia and the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC. Their guidelines do not permit the employees from using their government email for "Engaging in any activity that would discredit DHS, including seeking, transmitting, collecting or storing defamatory, discriminatory, obscene, harassing or intimidating messages or material."

In a 2013 report, the guidelines reported that "Federal Government communication systems and equipment (including Government-owned telephones, fascimile machines, electronic mail, Internet systems and commercial systems when the federal Government pays for use) shall be for official use and authorized purposes only."

As the FriendFinder Networks Inc. has understood the issue only now, the company added till the investigation is finished, it is not possible to evaluate the incident completely.

Shaun Harper, a former FriendFinder member, said that he is prey to the website's assault. He had been targeted with some emails that were virus-infected, as his personal details were shown. "The site seemed OK, but when I got into it I realized 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."

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