Cybersecurity Breach Hits Internet Archive: 31 Million User Accounts Exposed

Another day, another site falls to a cyber attack. This time, the target is the Internet Archive, where a breach has exposed data from 31 million user accounts. 

The Internet Archive, a widely respected platform dedicated to preserving the Internet's history, is facing a major crisis following a massive data breach. Founder Brewster Kahle confirmed that hackers infiltrated the site, compromising millions of users' usernames, email addresses, and passwords. The attack has sent cybersecurity experts on high alert as they work to assess the extent of the damage.

A Stark Warning for Users:

News of the breach reached users through a stark pop-up message:

"Have you ever felt like the Internet Archive runs on sticks and is constantly on the verge of suffering a catastrophic security breach? It just happened. See 31 million of you on HIBP!"

Check if You're Affected:

For those concerned about their data, Have I Been Pwned? (HIBP) provides a straightforward way to check if personal information was compromised. Troy Hunt, HIBP's founder and cybersecurity expert, confirmed that his site had received all breach data, revealing that 54% of the affected accounts had already been listed on HIBP from prior leaks. Hunt noted that the incident emphasizes the need for increased data security as cyber threats grow more frequent.

The breach also unleashed a DDoS attack that briefly took the Internet Archive offline. Kahle addressed the attack on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that they’ve since disabled the compromised JavaScript library exploited by the hackers. The platform is now focused on upgrading its security to better protect users.

Threat of Further Attack:

Adding to the tension, an account named SN_Blackmeta on X claimed responsibility for the breach and hinted at another planned attack.

In an era where data breaches are increasingly routine, the importance of cybersecurity can’t be overstated. Internet Archive users are urged to change their passwords and verify their data status on HIBP. This incident is a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance and proactive security measures to protect our digital lives.