Western Reader
A hacker called ‘Golem’ has allegedly leaked 4.1 million DNA profiles that were stolen from the genealogy site 23andMe. This privacy breach has raised serious concerns about the security of personal data in the digital age.
The hacker targeted 23andMe, a major player in the $3 billion genetic testing market. Customers can take a test to find out about their ethnic background for a fee.
The company claims it did not detect any breaches on its systems but suspects that the data might have been stolen from individual users who reused passwords that had been previously breached on other sites.
How can we prevent leaks of customer #genetic data like the one at Guardiome?
It’s simple. If you don’t have a customer database, there’s nothing to hack 😁.https://t.co/fRmzrzA5aH#23andme #DNA #Privacy
— Katharine Medetgul-Ernar (@KatharineME_) October 18, 2023
Initially, the hacker known as Golem offered to sell the stolen profiles, highlighting their high value. However, the motive behind the leak seems to be more political than financial, with Golem expressing anger towards Israel and a recent hospital explosion in Gaza that caused numerous deaths.
This incident has raised concerns about the security measures implemented by 23andMe. The company has launched an investigation and found no evidence of a system-wide data security breach or any indication that 23andMe was the source of the compromised account credentials.
According to 23andMe, the hacker likely gained access to customer accounts by using login credentials that were recycled from other websites that had previously experienced security breaches.
Did Antisemitism Spur the Bizarre 23andMe DNA Hack? – PJ Media https://t.co/gcXd3LBrRs
— KP (@kimlee227) October 17, 2023
As a response to the breach, 23andMe has implemented additional security measures, including a mandatory password reset for all accounts and recommending customers to enable multi-factor authentication.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in our increasingly digital world. It emphasizes the need for strong cybersecurity measures and highlights the importance of individual responsibility in protecting personal data.
The massive privacy breach should be a wake-up call for everyone, underscoring the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures and the importance of individual vigilance in safeguarding personal data. Moving forward, let’s learn from this incident and strive to create a safer digital environment for all.
This article originally appeared on Conservative Cardinal and is published here with permission.
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