The RaidForums data leak has caused concern among cybersecurity experts and impacted individuals as user data from nearly half a million registered users has been made available for download on the dark web. The ExposeForums platform, which claims to have acquired the leaked data, posted a SQL file containing user data, including usernames, passwords, and emails. While the authenticity of the leaked data has not been confirmed by researchers, users of ExposeForums have claimed that their information was also a part of the RaidForums data leak.
The administrator of ExposeForums, using the alias Impotent, stated that the leaked data contained login credentials of all individuals registered with RaidForums. The credibility of the claim has not yet been verified by authorities, but many cybersecurity analysts believe that it is possible since data breaches of this type have happened before.
Hacker forums like RaidForums and BreachForums have previously been used by cybercriminals to post information on cyber attacks, data leaks, and other malicious activities. Due to their under-the-radar nature, many hackers have used them to commit various crimes without getting caught. However, both platforms were seized by legal authorities in the past, which led to the arrest of their administrators.
Since the shutdown of these underground platforms, the hacker community has been trying to revive them. ExposeForums came onto the scene this year and soon became popular, with the administrator allegedly earning around $4,500 in just ten days by trading with fellow forum members. However, whether they’ll be able to sustain their success in light of the RaidForums data leak is up for debate.
Reports suggest that the ExposeForums platform may have acquired the RaidForums data leak to attract users and create a name for itself. Regardless, such leaks are dangerous as they put user data and privacy at risk. The authorities will need to identify the source of the leak and take appropriate action.
According to Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, “This is another example of how working with our international law enforcement partners has resulted in the shutdown of a criminal marketplace and the arrest of its administrator.” Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco also stated that illegal forums like RaidForums and BreachForums will be taken down, and their administrators will be brought to justice in U.S. courtrooms.
Alon Gal, the Co-Founder, and CTO at Hudson Rock, highlighted that the RaidForums data leak could be useful for both good and bad causes. While it could help security researchers build threat profiles and assist in combating cybercrime, hackers and doxxers could also use it to commit more malicious actions.
In conclusion, the RaidForums data leak is a significant cause for concern, and cybersecurity experts and the authorities must work together to prevent similar incidents in the future. Hackers and cybercriminals have been using dark web forums to conduct illegal activities for far too long, and it is imperative to bring them to justice and protect user data at all costs.