Social Blade Data Breach Confirmed: Hacker Offers Database for Sale on Underground Website

Social Blade Confirms Security Breach - Urgent Action Required for Users

Social Blade, a prominent social media analytics service, has recently announced that it is investigating a serious security breach after discovering that its user database was offered for sale on an underground criminal website. The incident came to light after a hacker put the data up for sale on a hacking forum on December 12, 2022. Social Blade was subsequently alerted about a potential breach on December 14th and immediately launched an investigation.

The hacker claims to have stolen a vast database containing approximately 5.6 million records back in September. While Social Blade reassures its users that no credit card information was compromised, the leaked data includes sensitive information such as email addresses, IP addresses, password hashes, client IDs, and tokens for business API users, as well as auth tokens for connected accounts. Moreover, a small fraction of the data (about 0.1%) also included user addresses.

The company, however, believes that the password hashes are relatively secure due to the strong bcrypt encryption algorithm used. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, Social Blade strongly advises all affected users to change their passwords immediately. It is essential to create strong, unique passwords to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

To further protect its users, Social Blade has already reset all Business API tokens to prevent exploitation by unauthorized third parties. Additionally, the service has patched the website vulnerability that the hacker exploited and is conducting comprehensive security reviews to reinforce its systems further.

In light of this breach, users who have utilized Social Blade should remain vigilant against potential scams and phishing attacks. Cybercriminals may attempt to exploit the leaked information to deceive unsuspecting users into divulging additional sensitive data. Therefore, it is crucial for users to exercise caution and stay alert to protect their online security.

If you have a Social Blade account, it is imperative that you take immediate action to secure your account by changing your password and staying vigilant against potential scams. Social Blade is actively working to enhance its security measures, but user cooperation in safeguarding personal information remains paramount.