Hackers have targeted The Real World, an online course founded by controversial influencer Andrew Tate, leaking data of nearly 800,000 users. The breach, which was revealed on Thursday, exposed sensitive information including email addresses, chat logs, and server data.
The Data Breach
The hackers reportedly gained access to over 600 servers. After doing so, they revealed data including 325,000 unique email addresses and chat logs from various users. Originally named Hustler’s University, The Real World charges $50 per month for training in areas such as fitness, finance, and e-commerce. “Money making is a skill,” the website states, “We will teach you how to master it.”
How the Hackers Made Their Presence Known
In an act of protest, the attackers filled the platform’s chatroom with inappropriate emojis, including a transgender flag and AI-generated graphics ridiculing Andrew Tate. Additionally, the hackers took advantage of the flaws in the platform’s security, enabling them to upload data, delete attachments, crash clients, and temporarily ban users. The breach demonstrated the platform’s inadequate security measures, which the attackers referred to as “hilariously insecure.”
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Hacktivism Behind the Attack
Motivated by hacktivism, the hackers criticised The Real World’s inadequate security system. Primarily, Hacktivism is defined as hacking that is motivated by political or cultural reasons, which aims to protest and bring attention to perceived injustices. What’s more, the attackers disclosed the platform’s faults while sharing the compromised data with organisations such as HaveIBeenPwned and DDoSecrets, a journalistic collective that hosts leaked public interest information.
Subsequently, the incident has raised several concerns about users’ privacy and security on The Real World and other platforms. Consumers fall victim to identity theft, spam, and other harmful activities as exposed email addresses and chat data spread online. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers connected with online platforms that handle sensitive data without adequate security measures in place.
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