None of the stolen information included unprotected passwords, payment-card data, or bank-account information, the company said, based on the information it has so far.
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If your password and security questions and answers for your Yahoo account are similar to the ones you use for other accounts, you should change them.
He noted the potential impact should not to be overlooked even though bank account information or social security numbers weren’t included.
At least 500 million user accounts may have be compromised after copies of user account information was stolen from the network in late 2014, Yahoo! Inc.
“Online intrusions and thefts by state-sponsored actors have become increasingly common across the technology industry”, Yahoo said in a release.
The vast majority of the stolen passwords were hashed with the security tool bcrypt, making them more hard to crack, Yahoo said. It’s not known at this time how the hack will affect the sale to Verizon, but Reuters reports executives are remaining quiet on the deal for now.
“Frankly, the timing couldn’t be worse for Yahoo”, Cluley said.
Yahoo’s CISO said that the company has already notified all potentially affected users and asked them to change their passwords.
Yahoo has confirmed a massive data breach affecting at least 500 million users.
If you have not changed your Yahoo password since 2014, the company advises that you do so now. The internet giant said that it is working with law enforcement. It’s also asking that users review any suspicious activity related to their accounts.
Yahoo is on the brink of finalizing a $4.8 billion deal to sell off its core business to Verizon.
He also called the Yahoo hack “a treasure trove of secrets”.
Finally, Yahoo! recommends not click links or download attachments from email addresses “suspicious” and to be vigilant on any request on a request for personal information.
The company only notified Verizon, which agreed to purchase Yahoo for almost $5 billion in July, just two days ago.
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In May 2013, 22 million user IDs associated with Yahoo Japan-in which Yahoo had a 35% stake at the time-were leaked. He noted that while Yahoo said that it believes they hack was state-sponsored, the company provided no details regarding what makes them think that is the case.
