You may have heard some alarming news that Reddit has allegedly been hacked by a group called BlackCat, and they are threatening to leak the data they stole. In this article, we will explain what allegedly happened, what data was compromised, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Why Did BlackCat Hack Reddit Allegedly?
According to a post on DataBreaches.net, BlackCat claimed that they hacked into Reddit’s servers on February 5, 2023, and took 80 GB of zipped data. They also claimed that they contacted Reddit twice, once on April 13 and again on June 16, but received no response or acknowledgment from the company. They demanded $4.5 million in exchange for deleting the data and keeping quiet about the breach. They also allegedly asked Reddit to withdraw their API pricing changes, which have been criticized by some developers and users.
BlackCat said that they decided to go public with the breach now because of the recent controversy surrounding Reddit’s CEO Steve Huffman, who admitted to editing some comments on the platform that criticized him. They also said that they originally planned to wait for Reddit’s IPO, which is expected to happen later this year.
What Data Was Possibly Compromised?
It is not clear what exactly was in the 80 GB of data that BlackCat stole from Reddit. They did not provide any proof or samples of the data, nor did they specify what kind of data it was. However, based on their post, it seems that they may have accessed some user information or passwords, as they advised Reddit users to change their passwords as soon as possible.
Reddit has not confirmed or denied the breach, nor has it issued any official statement or notification to its users. However, some Reddit users have reported allegedly receiving emails from Reddit asking them to reset their passwords due to suspicious activity on their accounts.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
If you are a Reddit user, you should take some precautions to secure your account and your data. Some steps you can take are changing your password on Reddit, and any other sites where you use the same password. Make sure to use a strong and unique password for each site. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on Reddit and any other sites that support it. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone or an app when you log in.
Review your account activity and settings on Reddit and any other sites where you use the same email address. Look for any signs of unauthorized access or changes. Be wary of any emails or messages claiming to be from Reddit or BlackCat. Do not click on any links or attachments, or provide any personal or financial information. Verify the sender’s identity and authenticity before responding. Lastly make sure to stay informed and updated on the situation. Follow reputable sources of news and security advice, such as DataBreaches.net.
Reddit getting hacked by BlackCat is a serious incident that may affect millions of users and their data. However, by taking some proactive measures, you can minimize the risk and impact of the breach.
