UPDATED STORY HERE: Ashley Madison data leak appears to expose users’ full names, credit card info
TORONTO – The stolen data from a website dedicated to extramarital affairs finally made an appearance online Tuesday, according to Wired Magazine.
Toronto-based AshleyMadison.com, which offers to connect people looking to have an affair, was allegedly hacked one month ago by a group called The Impact Team.
The team seems to have followed through on its threat to release sensitive information about the company and its clients since the site, as well as a sister-site called Established Men, were not shut down as the hackers requested.
Wired also claims the information is only available on the dark web, which is accessible only through specific web browsers. The data revealed apparently contains account information – including names and addresses – as well as payment information and passwords.
READ MORE: Hackers steal personal information of millions of Ashley Madison users who sought affairs
Avid Life Media Inc., which owns both websites, called the attack “an act of criminality” in a statement on Tuesday.
“We have now learned that the individual or individuals responsible for this attack claim to have released more of the stolen data,” it reads.
“We are actively monitoring and investigating this situation to determine the validity of any information posted online and will continue to devote significant resources to this effort.”
Officials at the company said they are privately investigating the hack, using forensic experts and other security professionals. They said they are also cooperating with RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police, Toronto Police, as well as the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation.
READ MORE: Ashley Madison security breach won’t change cheating ways say experts
Ashley Madison, which uses the slogan is “Life is short. Have an affair,” claimed to have more than 37 million members around the world at the time of the attack.
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