In a significant escalation of the ongoing hacking wars, the hacking forum BreachForums has fallen victim to a devastating data breach. Reports indicate that a rival hacking forum successfully breached BreachForums’ security measures and publicly leaked a database containing the personal information of approximately 4,700 members. This incident comes just days after the notorious cybercrime forum Exposed reportedly faced a hack and defacement orchestrated by its fierce competitor, BreachForums.
The attack on BreachForums came to light when the rival hacking forum dumped the stolen database online, making it accessible to the public. The details were posted on another dark web forum called BlackForums. Alon Gal, the Co-Founder and CTO of cybersecurity firm Hudson Rock, verified the authenticity of the compromised database, expressing concern over the intensifying nature of these hacking conflicts. Gal emphasized the seriousness of these hacking wars and their potential repercussions.
The breach and subsequent data dump raise serious privacy and security concerns, as the compromised database likely contains sensitive information about BreachForums’ members. Cybercriminals could potentially exploit this data for various illicit activities, including identity theft, phishing attempts, and targeted attacks. While the data was posted on BlackForums, there is no confirmation yet regarding the perpetrator’s identity.
Prior to this incident, BreachForums executed a hack and defacement campaign on its competitor cybercrime forum Exposed. This attack occurred on June 15 and was accompanied by a mocking message resembling a law enforcement seizure notice. The message aimed at taunting Exposed.vc’s operators, boldly stating, “operators were castrated and face the death penalty.” The operators of Exposed.vc confirmed the hack but raised suspicion with their unconventional announcement, hinting at their potential involvement in the incident.
The recent incidents involving BreachForums and Exposed are part of a long tale of hacking forum conflicts. Exposed recently announced that it is seeking a new owner, citing a lack of time to maintain the platform. This announcement coincided with the emergence of BreachForums, spearheaded by a former member of the breached known as ‘Baphomet.’ The closure of RaidForums and the arrest of its administrator, Omnipotent, in April 2022 led to the migration of many members to Breached/BreachForums.
However, Breached met a similar fate in March 2023 when its owner, Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, also known as “Pompompurin,” was arrested by the FBI. This series of events created a void in the dark web data forum landscape, leading to the emergence of new alternatives such as BreachForums. Baphomet, assuming the role of Breached administrator after Pompompurin’s arrest, has been posting about launching a new forum and has called on former Breached members to contact them to restore their ranks.
The hacking wars between these rival forums highlight the growing intensity and sophistication of cybercriminal activities. It is crucial for individuals and organizations to remain vigilant, take necessary security measures, and stay updated on potential threats. As the battle between hacking forums rages on, cybersecurity professionals and law enforcement agencies continue to work diligently to combat these cyber threats and protect individuals’ sensitive information.