Ashley Madison Details

    Organization Logo

    Ashley Madison

    Toronto, Ontario • 160 employees • Media

    Industry

    Media

    Security Incidents

    1

    Ashley Madison is an online dating and social networking service specifically marketed to people who are married or in committed relationships, promoting discreet extramarital affairs. Launched in 2001 by Avid Life Media, the platform operates under the controversial tagline "Life is short. Have an affair." Despite facing numerous controversies, including a high-profile data breach in 2015, the company continues to cater to its niche audience, emphasizing privacy and anonymity for its users.

    Security Incidents

    Ashley Madison Breach of Jul 2015
    Severity Score
    Very High

    Type

    Ransomware Attack

    Summary

    In July 2015, Ashley Madison suffered a significant data breach executed by a hacker group called The Impact Team. The hackers stole and subsequently leaked personal information of millions of users, including names, email addresses, and payment details. The breach exposed the site's lack of adequate security measures and caused widespread public and legal repercussions. The incident highlighted critical vulnerabilities and ethical concerns within Ashley Madison's operations.

    Severity

    The Ashley Madison data breach in 2015 was a significant cybersecurity incident, exposing sensitive personal information of over 30 million users, including email addresses, names, and transaction records. This breach had severe repercussions, leading to public shaming, legal actions, and even reported suicides linked to the exposure of user identities. The incident highlighted critical vulnerabilities in the company's security infrastructure and underscored the profound impact of data breaches on privacy and personal lives.

    Impact

    The Ashley Madison data breach affected over 30 million users worldwide, including individuals from various professions, government employees, and military personnel. Sensitive information such as names, email addresses, and credit card details were exposed, compromising the privacy of countless users who sought anonymity on the platform. The breach led to significant personal, professional, and legal repercussions for those affected, underscoring the widespread impact on diverse demographics

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