BookCrossing
HighThe BookCrossing breach exposed sensitive data of 1.5 million users, including plain-text passwords.
- Records exposed
- 1,582,323 records
- Breach date
- Breach Nov 5, 2012
- Last update
- Updated Jul 25, 2023
What data was exposed?
Fields reported as compromised in this breach record.
Why does this breach matter?
In-depth analysis of the breach and its implications.
In November 2012, the online community site BookCrossing experienced a data breach affecting over 1.5 million records. This included sensitive information such as names, usernames, email addresses, IP addresses, dates of birth, and plain-text passwords. The existence of this breach was publicly disclosed in August 2022, highlighting the risks associated with backup data handling and storage.
Impact Analysis
Understanding the scope and consequences of this breach.
- User Impact
- Users faced risks of credential misuse and targeted phishing due to exposure of personal information and plain-text passwords.
- Business Impact
- BookCrossing experienced reputational harm due to the extended time before breach disclosure and potential regulatory challenges regarding data protection.
- Affected Sectors
- Online Communities
- Social Networking
- Geographic Impact
- Global
What You Should Do
Recommended actions to take in response to this breach.
If You Were Affected
- •Change passwords associated with BookCrossing accounts and any reused passwords immediately.
- •Monitor account activity for unexplained logins or transactions.
- •Enable two-factor authentication on sensitive accounts.
Preventive Measures
- •Avoid using plain-text passwords in data storage.
- •Implement regular audits of backup data security.
- •Ensure immediate update and application of security measures when breaches are observed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this breach and what it means for you.