User information of millions of SnapChat users were compromised after hackers downloaded the usernames and phone numbers of about 4.6 million users and posted them temporarily online. The hacked data was posted on a website called SnapChatDB, which has since been shut down.
This hacking happened within a few days of Gibson Security, an Australian firm warning about the vulnerabilities in SnapChat’s app. TechCrunch reported that the hackers said they had exploited the loophole in security highlighted by Gibson Security.
However, Gibson Security distanced itself from the event and tweeted, “We know nothing about SnapchatDB, but it was a matter of time till something like that happened.”
The hackers however refrained from posting entire details, but posted usernames and partial phone numbers of the compromised accounts. TechCrunch further reported that SnapchatDB said that, it had made the data available to convince SnapChat that it should strengthen its security.
TechCrunch quoted SnapChatDB saying, “We used a modified version of gibsonsec’s exploit/method. Snapchat could have easily avoided that disclosure by replying to Gibsonsec’s private communications, yet they didn’t. Even long after the disclosure, Snapchat was reluctant to take the necessary steps to secure user data.”
The Next Web made a WHOIS search on SnapchatDB and found the domain had been created and registered on December 31 and not earlier. The name of the registrant is private, but the mailing address and contact numbers are listed in Panama.
SnapChat is one of the most popular apps on the Internet today, and media sent using SnapChat supposedly disappear within short time after being viewed. In November, SnapChat turned down a buyout offer of $3 billion from Facebook, and the 2-year old company has already been able to raise about $123 million in funding.
Summary:
4.6 million SnapChat users’ information was leaked after the site was hacked. The hackers downloaded the usernames and phone numbers of these users and posted the hacked data temporarily on a website called SnapChatDB, which has since then been shut down. The data security of SnapChat users seems to be facing threat from hackers.