07-16-2016, 04:35 AM
Two other forums to which I post had massive security breaches in February; every user's info was posted publicly on the Web, so whatever each member entered into his/her profile was made public.
That info can easily be used to access major accounts the person may have, several ways, mainly by entering email addresses into Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, and any other major social networking website or consumer services site, and requesting a new password.
When that doesn't work (it won't because the hacker won't be able to receive the email in most cases) the hacker calls Amazon customer service, makes some kind of excuse about having changed his/her email, and in many cases, a new password is issued over the phone since the hacker is able to confirm many other details provided in the data breach. The credit card fraud then begins.
That's why I provide only the minimum amount of information needed to join any forum and nothing more.
That info can easily be used to access major accounts the person may have, several ways, mainly by entering email addresses into Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, and any other major social networking website or consumer services site, and requesting a new password.
When that doesn't work (it won't because the hacker won't be able to receive the email in most cases) the hacker calls Amazon customer service, makes some kind of excuse about having changed his/her email, and in many cases, a new password is issued over the phone since the hacker is able to confirm many other details provided in the data breach. The credit card fraud then begins.
That's why I provide only the minimum amount of information needed to join any forum and nothing more.