from the only-facebook-should-be-able-to-monetize-your-personal-info dept.
Here's How to see if You're Among the 30 Million Compromised Facebook Users:
The attackers who carried out the mass hack that Facebook disclosed two weeks ago obtained user account data belonging to as many as 30 million users, the social network said on Friday. Some of that data—including phone numbers, email addresses, birth dates, searches, location check-ins, and the types of devices used to access the site—came from private accounts or was supposed to be restricted only to friends.
The revelation is the latest black eye for Facebook as it tries to recover from the scandal that came to light earlier this year in which Cambridge Analytica funneled highly personal details of more than 80 million users to an organization supporting then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. When Facebook disclosed the latest breach two weeks ago, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he didn't know if it allowed attackers to steal users' private data. Friday's update made clear that it did, although the 30 million people affected was less than the 50 million estimate previously given. Readers can check this link to see what, if any, data was obtained by the attackers.
On a conference call with reporters, Vice President of Product Management Guy Rosen said that at the request of the FBI, which is investigating the hack, Facebook isn't providing any information about who the attackers are or their motivations or intentions. That means that for now, affected users should be extra vigilant when reading emails, taking calls, and receiving other types of communications. The ability to know the search queries, location check-ins, phone numbers, email addresses, and other personal details of so many people gives the attackers the ability to send highly customized emails, texts, and voice calls that may try to trick people into turning over money, passwords, or other high-value information.
Information wants to be free?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Saturday October 13 2018, @07:50PM (1 child)
But its just 1.5% of Facebook's users.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 5, Funny) by takyon on Saturday October 13 2018, @07:55PM
What about the 2 billion compromised Facebook users? 😂
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 13 2018, @07:56PM (2 children)
Answers kind of obvious. If you have an account your compromised. Oh... You mean by a security breach... Not sure how there's a difference. But OK. Good luck with that.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by RS3 on Saturday October 13 2018, @08:19PM
How about: if you have a FB account, you're a security breach waiting to happen.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 13 2018, @09:01PM
Zuck: Yeah so if you ever need info about anyone at Harvard
Zuck: Just ask
Zuck: I have over 4,000 emails, pictures, addresses, SNS
[Redacted Friend's Name]: What? How'd you manage that one?
Zuck: People just submitted it.
Zuck: I don't know why.
Zuck: They "trust me"
Zuck: Dumb fucks
(Score: 3, Funny) by Runaway1956 on Saturday October 13 2018, @08:01PM
Facebook is an exploit, waiting to be used. It's only a matter of imagination, and time. The data has been amassed, and awaits those people who are willing and able to use it.
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 5, Interesting) by acid andy on Saturday October 13 2018, @08:02PM (5 children)
Does that include shadow accounts? You know, the ones they won't even really admit exist? If it does, I bet that link won't tell people without a full account whether their data was breached. No way in hell I'm clicking on it, either way!
Master of the science of the art of the science of art.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 13 2018, @08:16PM (2 children)
I clicked on the link but it said I needed a Facebook account. I guess I'll never know ;-)
(Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 14 2018, @12:05AM (1 child)
You got one now.
(Score: 3, Funny) by c0lo on Sunday October 14 2018, @02:31AM
And it's breached.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0
(Score: 2) by richtopia on Sunday October 14 2018, @07:29AM (1 child)
I cannot check if my account was breached: I made an account with minimal info years ago but Facebook's security measures keep me out. I know my email and password, but they ask me to identify pictures of people I knew 15 years ago. Of course I fail this quiz, and I cannot login!
They also offered to verify my ID with a picture of my driver's license. What???? It is Facebook, not a bank!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 14 2018, @08:03AM
Same. I recognise a few people by face but not all. Some people have changed, and quite frankly I can't name all of the people in the circle of 200+ friends anymore. Maybe by nick if they were on IRC and we met at a party. I've never worked out how providing photo id is supposed to prove to facebook, or any other online site including shops, that it is actually me. I have a FB account. Actually, I have at least 3. I can't even remember the email address I used. Let alone the password. Shadow account? Ha! No need. I have an inactive account.
(Score: 3, Informative) by mcgrew on Sunday October 14 2018, @03:07PM
Don't bother RTFA. It has no new information other than Facebook's keeping it secret because of the FBI investigation. It does NOT tell you how to find out if you've been compromised!
And yes, I have a FB account, to get my books read by more people. Oh, speaking of that, my latest is a cookbook...
Carbon, The only element in the known universe to ever gain sentience