Group Hacks Ashley Madison, Ransoms User Data

By Ramon Mejia

Security expert Brian Krebs first reported that the hacker group Impact Team have claimed to have gained full access to the user and employee data of the world’s number one extramarital affair site, Ashley Madison. The breach potentially effects up to 37 million of the companies registered users.

Krebs said that the attackers, who call themselves The Impact Team, published a range of random user data that they claim to have snatched from ALM — the parent company behind Ashley Madison, Cougar Life and Established Men. They also claim to have secured employee information.

The Impact Team is threatening to release the full data set that it claims to have unless Ashley Madison is shut down.

In an announcement, ALM said it has launched “a thorough investigation” after it was made “aware of an attempt by an unauthorized party to gain access to our systems.”

“At this time, we have been able to secure our sites, and close the unauthorized access points. We are working with law enforcement agencies, which are investigating this criminal act. Any and all parties responsible for this act of cyber–terrorism will be held responsible,” the company added.