That Instagram hack is shaping up to be way bigger than anyone thought
Turns out we all may be "high profile" in the eyes of Instagram.
A bug in the social media company's API reportedly allowed hackers to gain access to account holders' phone numbers and email addresses, with Instagram assuring everyone on Aug. 30 that it was the celebs of the world who were targeted. But that was then.
Things are looking just a tad bit different now, with reports suggesting that as many as 6 million accounts were possibly affected and that regular old users may have fallen victim as well.
SEE ALSO:Oops: An Instagram bug let a hacker access phone numbers and email addressesThe company issued a new statement on Sept. 1, copping to the fact that things may be worse than it originally admitted.
"After additional analysis, we have determined that this issue potentially impacted some non-verified accounts as well," a spokesperson told Mashablevia email. "Although we cannot determine which specific accounts may have been impacted, we believe it was a low percentage of Instagram accounts."
A "low percentage" of 700 million accounts — the current number of monthly active users on Instagram — is still quite a lot of accounts.
According to The Daily Beast, the person or persons responsible for the hack have gone so far as to create a searchable database allowing anyone to find the contact details of any affected user — all for the low low price of approximately $10 (paid in Bitcoin, of course).
"Out of an abundance of caution, we encourage you to be vigilant about the security of your account, and exercise caution if you observe any suspicious activity such as unrecognized incoming calls, texts, or emails," wrote CTO Mike Krieger in a Sept. 1 blog post. "Additionally, we’re encouraging you to report any unusual activity through our reporting tools."
In other words, this hack didn't just affect "high-profile Instagram users" as the company initially suggested. You and I are at risk as well — so much so that Instagram is warning us all to be on the lookout.
So look out, because this is shaping up to be way worse than anyone initially thought.
Featured Video For You
Finland bloggers are on a fan mission to Instagram every 'Game of Thrones' location
TopicsCybersecurityInstagramSocial Media
-
NASA rover snaps photo of its most daunting challenge yet巡查路上遇伤员 及时救援保平安UK Embassy plays soccer with NK defectors for charityNK, Russia defense cooperation 'not good' for Korean Peninsula: NSC official17 Spectacular Outdoor StaircasesHow to turn on Slack's dark mode开展执法检查保障灾后市场稳定VAR will cause 'controversy' in Premier League says chiefPS5 Pro: It looks like a sketch of the design just leakedNK slams NATO chief's visit to S. Korea as 'prelude' to confrontation, war
下一篇:DOJ accuses TikTok of collecting and sharing users' personal views, as the app fights a ban
- ·DNC 2024 speech: Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have a superpower no other Democrat has.
- ·iFixIt Steam Deck teardown reveals easy disassembly
- ·That joke isn't funny: A short history of the 'casting couch' trope
- ·Australian rider climbs off bike and leaves Tour in confusion
- ·The Astounding World of Automata
- ·Top court clears 4 current, ex
- ·Encrypted messaging app Signal saw a spike in Ukraine as Russia invaded
- ·Top court clears 4 current, ex
- ·提前谋划部署准备秋季开学
- ·Opera browser integrates Yats for emoji web addresses
- ·Uber Explore adds activities to the ride
- ·NK slams NATO chief's Seoul visit as 'prelude to war'
- ·22 Unusual Things You Can Find in the Desert
- ·S. Korea OKs $4.32 mil. worth of private humanitarian aid to NK in 2022
- ·North Korea likely to celebrate Feb. 8 Army Day anniversary with nighttime event
- ·Opera browser integrates Yats for emoji web addresses
- ·How much for Oasis tickets? Fans joke about splurging on reunion shows
- ·Korean tourists injured in bus accident in Austria
- ·How to watch the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2022 stream
- ·State Dept. says US has many tools available to hold NK accountable
- ·共同推动雅安职工思想政治引领数智化发展工作做深做实
- ·Korea repatriates remains of 20 Chinese soldiers
- ·What extreme heat waves do to your body — and how to avoid heat stroke
- ·震后 天全卫生防疫工作实行“包片”制
- ·When Are Next
- ·[Newsmaker] Chung Bong
- ·iPhone 16 Pro new color will reportedly be Desert Titanium
- ·Australian rider climbs off bike and leaves Tour in confusion
- ·Parties mark 70th anniv. of Jeju April 3 incident with varied interpretations
- ·雨城区干部职工为遇难者默哀
- ·“笋货”上市采购旺!清远西牛麻竹笋迎秋季尝鲜热
- ·The best electric scooters to buy
- ·N. Korea unveils stamp featuring leader's daughter Ju
- ·Parties mark 70th anniv. of Jeju April 3 incident with varied interpretations
- ·9 Planetariums to Get Lost in the Cosmos
- ·China’s ban on trash imports causes major confusion, crisis