Massive LinkedIn data breach. Because that is the future we live in.

One week ago — June 22nd, 2021 — a hacker posted the following advertisement:

Hi

I have 700 Million 2021 LinkedIn Records

We can use MM/Escrow

The hacker in question is listed as a “GOD user” on that particular hacker forum, and uses some sort of anime cartoon as an avatar. Because, of course he/she does.

According to a report from RestorePrivacy.com, who examined the sample provided by the hacker/seller, the data contains the following information:

Email AddressesFull namesPhone numbersPhysical addressesGeolocation recordsLinkedIn username and profile URLPersonal and professional experience/backgroundGendersOther social media accounts and usernames

That’s a lot of personal data. For 700 Million people.

This is the future we live in.

The reality is this: There is no way to stop these data breaches and leaks.

It simply is not possible.

The more complex and interconnected (and On-Line accessible) a system is, the more insecure it becomes. That’s simply a fact of basic engineering and there is absolutely no way to stop it.

As points of vulnerabilities and failures grow — such as using cloud hosting providers, centralized authentication systems, and increasingly complex software stacks — the number of such breaches will continue to grow.

Every engineer that has worked in software for more than a decade or two knows this is a fact.

If you have data in any On-Line service… expect it to eventually be sold on the black market, or simply posted online for all to see.

Ain’t the future neat?