Security Experts Alert: Big Data Leaks Threaten Facebook Marketplace Users

JAKARTA - A large data leak has put thousands of Facebook Marketplace users at a serious risk of phishing attacks, identity and cyber theft. A large number of accounts, about 200,000, leaked phone numbers, email addresses, and other personal information.

The data was posted on a hacking forum by a cybercriminal known as IntelBroker, who claimed the data was stolen from a contractor managing cloud services for Facebook in October 2023.

The leaked data includes various personal information such as name, phone number, email address, Facebook ID, and profile information. The authenticity of this data has been verified by BleepingComputer. IntelBroker, known as a successful hacker, has sold this data on the dark web for about $1 per line of data, and it is a warning that our data is a valuable currency for criminals.

Cybersecurity expert Jake Moore stressed the importance of changing passwords and activating two-factor authentication to protect user accounts. He also warned about possible targeted attacks using stolen information, especially on 24,000 email addresses connected to Facebook pages. Moore warned that criminals could use this information to hack accounts using passwords that were previously leaked.

In addition, leaked data can also allow "sim swapping" attacks, where criminals use the information gained to convince mobile phone service providers to transfer phone numbers to new SIM cards, opening up opportunities for more attacks and scams.

While there are sites like 'Have I Been Pwned' that can be used to check whether accounts have been affected by previous data leakages, warnings are given that such services will not update with data from the latest leaks, making it important to continue updating passwords and maintaining caution in dealing with suspicious messages or links.

This is a reminder that the security of our personal data is important, and precautions such as changing passwords regularly, activating two-factor authentication, and avoiding sharing too much information online can help protect yourself from cyberattacks. Although this action can help, it requires ongoing attention to the security of our personal data.