Millions of Linked-in passwords stolen
Nearly 6.5 million passwords belonging to users of the professional social networking site LinkedIn have been leaked online, according to reports.
Users are being urged to change their login details over fears that, if confirmed, the leak would compromise vast amounts of personal data, including contact information.
The information was reportedly posted as encrypted on a Russian hackers’ website and 300,000 are said to have been decrypted, with work ongoing, according to the respected technology blog, The Next Web.
LinkedIn, which faced criticism recently after it was revealed that its mobile app was sending information from users’ phones back to the company in plain text, posted a message on Twitter saying it was looking into the reports, which are as yet unconfirmed.
A file containing 6,458,020 encoded passwords was posted online, and hackers across the world are said to be collaborating to decipher them.
Although the data which has been released so far does not include associated email addresses, it is reasonable to assume that such information may be in the hands of the criminals, said one online security expert.
"As such, it would seem sensible to suggest to LinkedIn users that they change their passwords as soon as possible as a precautionary step.
"Of course, make sure that the password you use is unique (in other words, not used on any other websites), and hard to crack," wrote Graham Cluley on his blog.
LinkedIn was expected to release a statement later today.
TravelMole can confirm the when it opened an authentic-looking message from Linkedin today, it connected to a website selling Viagra.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025