Freecycle is yet another UK-based platform to experience a cyberattack. Recently, several notable names, including the UK Air Traffic Control System, the Met Police IT Contractor, and the IT Firm Swan Retail, have also fallen victim to cyberattacks.
Freecycle, an online forum for giving and receiving unwanted items, has confirmed that it suffered a data breach on August 30, 2023. The breach exposed the personal information of over 7 million users, including usernames, User IDs, email addresses, and MD5-hashed passwords.
The organization says that it has notified the “appropriate US authorities” of the incident, as well as the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the UK. Few details of what happened have been revealed, but Freecycle is advising all members to change their account passwords as a security measure.
“On August 30th we became aware of a data breach on Freecycle.org,” said Deron Beal, executive director of Freecycle. “As a result, we are advising all members to change their passwords as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience and would ask that you watch this space for further pending background.”
Freecycle is yet another UK-based platform to experience a cyberattack. Recently, several notable names, including the UK Air Traffic Control System, the Met Police IT Contractor, and the IT Firm Swan Retail, have also fallen victim to cyberattacks.
The Freecycle data breach is a reminder of the importance of online security. Users should always use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. They should also be careful about what information they share online.
If you are a Freecycle user, you should change your password immediately. You can also monitor your credit report for any signs of fraudulent activity.
- Here are some additional tips for protecting your online security:
- Use a different password for each online account.
- Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
- Be careful about what information you share online.
- Keep your software up to date.
- Be suspicious of any emails or messages that ask for personal information.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from further attacks and embarrassment.