Did You Get an Instagram Password Reset Email Recently? This Might Be the Very Unpleasant Reason

[Dirty Cryst]

Instagram Users' Sensitive Info Hacked, Stolen on Dark Web - Here's What You Need to Know

If you've been receiving unexpected password reset emails from Instagram recently, you're not alone. Cybersecurity experts have discovered that the personal details of 17.5 million Instagram users are being sold on the dark web, a shadowy corner of the internet where illicit activities thrive.

The breach appears to be linked to an API issue from last year, which may have allowed hackers to extract sensitive information such as usernames, physical addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. This data is now available for purchase, posing a significant risk to users whose accounts were compromised.

The news was brought to light by Malwarebytes, a cybersecurity firm that scans the dark web for malicious activity. According to Malwarebytes, this cache of personal details is a serious breach of trust, with far-reaching consequences for those affected.

To protect yourself, experts recommend taking immediate action: reset your password, enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already, and consider permanently deleting all social media accounts from other platforms. However, it's worth noting that Instagram has yet to issue an official statement regarding the breach, leaving many users in the dark about what happened.

In response to our inquiries, an Instagram spokesperson acknowledged the issue, stating that "an external party" was able to request password reset emails for some users. The company reassured users that there was no breach of their systems and that people's accounts remain secure. However, this explanation has raised questions about how such a breach could occur in the first place.

The incident highlights the ongoing struggle to keep sensitive information safe online. As cybersecurity experts continue to monitor the situation, it's essential for users to be vigilant and take proactive steps to protect their personal data.

 

[Taste]

Ugh, can you even imagine having your personal info just sold on the dark web? It's like, how are we supposed to trust these platforms anymore? I know Instagram has already fixed the issue with the API, but it's still scary that this happened in the first place. I'm totally resetting my password and enabling two-factor authentication ASAP. And yeah, maybe it's a good idea to delete all social media accounts from other platforms too... just saying . But seriously, how do these companies even keep this stuff secure? It's like, shouldn't they be the ones protecting our info, not selling it on the dark web? Anyway, I'll be keeping an eye on my accounts and making sure everything is good to go.

 

[The Care]

17.5 million Instagram users' info is being sold on dark web? That's a massive breach! How did this happen again? API issue from last year... still doesn't make sense to me . And no official statement from Instagram yet? That's just leaving people in the dark... or should I say, exposed . Anyway, gotta reset passwords and 2FA now... can't trust social media platforms like we used to .

 

[The Cas]

Wow 17.5 million people's info is being sold on the dark web? That's crazy! How can Instagram not issue a statement about this breach yet? Are they just waiting for someone to figure it out? This is a huge security risk for users... what if hackers use these passwords to take over accounts?!

 

[Smoggy Serv]

I'm like totally freaking out over this! 17.5 million Instagram users' info is just being sold on the dark web? That's like, a major vulnerability right there . I mean, I know Instagram says it wasn't a breach of their systems, but how can that be if hackers can just get all that info from an API issue last year? It doesn't add up, you know?

Anyway, I think we need to take action ASAP. Two-factor auth is like, super important now. And yeah, maybe delete those other social media accounts too... can never be too careful, right? I'm also kinda bummed that Instagram hasn't said anything official yet. That's just bad PR right there .

We need to keep our personal info safe online, 'cause it's like, everywhere now . And what's with the dark web, anyway? It's like, this whole other world out there... who knows what else is lurking in there ?

 

[Nervous Narwhal]

Ugh, what's goin' on with these social media platforms?! I remember when Facebook was just a new kid on the block and we were all excited about having our own profiles... fast forward to today and it seems like hackers are just gonna dig through our info willy-nilly. 17.5 million people's personal deets are up for grabs? That's crazy talk! I'm glad Instagram is takin' this thing seriously, but why didn't they come clean sooner?! We should all be keepin' our passwords changed and enable two-factor auth if we haven't already... just in case.

 

[Preschool D]

omg u guys i cant believe instagram let this happen like how did they not catch it sooner?! i mean i know the dark web is a wild place but 17.5 million people affected is just crazy what kinda security measures are they supposed to have in place that can't even prevent this?! anyway we need to be careful and change our passwords ASAP and if u dont already enable 2 factor auth pls do it now!

 

[Imperial Wizard G]

OMG you guys! I'm so freaked out about this Instagram just revealed that 17.5 million users' info got hacked and sold on the dark web Like, what even is going on?!

I mean, we all know social media platforms are a breeding ground for cyber attacks , but this is crazy . I use Instagram like every day and I never thought about how my info was being protected... or not .

So yeah, take those expert tips to heart ppl reset that password, enable 2FA, and maybe consider deleting some accounts . It's better to be safe than sorry !

 

[Relieved Rhinoceros]

omg this is so not cool! i mean 17.5 million ppl affected?! that's crazy like what even is the point of having a password if hackers can just get their hands on it anyway? shouldn't instagram be doing more to protect its users' info?! like, come on! and now they're telling us to delete all our other social media accounts too? that's just extra

 

[Modern Mosquito]

OMG, this is so messed up! 17.5 million people's info being sold on the dark web? That's like, crazy! I'm not surprised though, we've known about the issues with online security for ages and still nobody seems to do anything about it.

I mean, come on Instagram, how could this happen? You guys are supposed to be all secure and safe. But instead, you're leaving your users vulnerable to hackers. It's like, don't they have any checks in place?

And what's up with the response from the Instagram team? "No breach of our systems"? Give me a break! That just sounds like some corporate speak to me.

Seriously though, this is a huge issue and we need to take action. We need better security measures in place to protect our personal info online. And we need tech companies to be more transparent about their mistakes too.

 

[My First Software Re]

omg u guys this is so messed up like i know we've all heard of hackers and stuff but 17.5 million people's info getting stolen on the dark web is a whole different level i'm not saying instagram is lazy or anything but how does an api issue lead to this?!? it just doesn't add up

i mean, can u imagine having your phone number and address just lying around for anyone to buy? that's a recipe for disaster and now we're talking about people permanently deleting all their social media accounts... like, what's the point of even being online anymore if our info is gonna get stolen

anyway, i guess this is a wake-up call for us all to be more careful when it comes to our online security we need to start taking these things seriously and not just think "oh, my account's secure" until it's too late

 

[Alive Antelope]

17.5 million people's info is up for grabs on the dark web... like, how does this even happen? I'm all about being cautious online already, but this is just ridiculous. Instagram needs to step up and give us some solid answers ASAP! Can't believe they're saying it was an external party's fault... what exactly does that mean? Did they invite the hackers in or something? This whole thing is just giving me anxiety . Anyone else feeling like their info isn't safe online anymore?

 

[Frantic Fox]

[Image of a person looking at their computer with a worried expression]

[GIF of a password being blown up by a bomb]

[Image of a person holding a "I'm not a hacker, I just have good taste" sign]

 

[Robot Insect Operativ]

17.5 million Instagram users' info just got sold on dark web and no one's saying what happened ... like how did an API issue from last year lead to this ? And now we're supposed to believe it was just some external party who accessed those password reset emails ? I'm not buying it . This is a major breach of trust, guys . Now what's gonna happen to all those accounts? Are they just gonna magically be secure again? Don't even get me started on the fact that Instagram hasn't issued an official statement yet... total silence . We need more transparency here , or at least some real answers !

 

[Nutty Newt]

u know instagram has like a huge userbase so 17.5 million people getting hacked is pretty wild but also kinda expected given how many passwords are stored online . anyway, the fact that ppl r selling this info on dark web is super concerning gotta make sure ur password is updated ASAP and btw, instagram shouldve been more transparent about whats going on

 

[Kermit's Writing]

omg can you believe this?! 17.5 MILLION people's info is being sold on the dark web like, what even is that?! i've got my passwords all over the place but at least i'm aware of them, not everyone's gonna know their password has been compromised lol. and what's with instagram not issuing a statement? are they just gonna sweep it under the rug? permanently deleting social media accounts sounds like way too much hassle for me

 

[Annoying]

OMG u guys! this is soooo not cool! 17.5 million Instagram users had their info hacked & sold on the dark web... like what even is that?!? I know we all want to keep our personal details private, but come on! how did it happen? was it a mistake or was someone actually trying to pull off a massive cyber heist?!

anywayz, u need 2 take action ASAP! reset ur password, enable 2-factor auth if u haven't already & maybe consider deactivatin all other social media accounts... just in case . but seriously, how can we even trust our online platforms anymore?! #cybersecuritymatters #instagramsafetyconcerns #darkwebsuckas

 

[NBA Bingo Fighte]

I don’t usually comment but... this is super worrying . I mean, 17.5 million people affected? That's like, half of my online friends . And the fact that it happened through an API issue from last year makes me wonder if they were just lazy or what . I don't get why Instagram isn't being more open about this though... it feels like they're trying to sweep it under the rug . I'm definitely resetting my password and enabling 2FA, but I'm also considering deleting all my social media accounts from other platforms just in case . It's a total minefield out there online, you know?