LiveJournal
HighThe 2017 LiveJournal breach exposed 26M user records and plaintext passwords.
Exposed data classes
Fields reported as compromised in this breach record.
Detailed Analysis
In-depth analysis of the breach and its implications.
In early 2017, LiveJournal's platform experienced a significant data breach exposing sensitive account information, including usernames, email addresses, and plaintext passwords of approximately 26 million users. This data breach was disclosed in mid-2019 amid increasing reports of credential abuse related to Dreamwidth, a platform with overlap in its user base. In May 2020, the compromised data archive surfaced on a hacking forum, underscoring the long-term consequences of security lapses.
Impact Analysis
Understanding the scope and consequences of this breach.
- User Impact
- Individual accounts are at risk of being compromised via credential stuffing or unauthorized access.
- Business Impact
- LiveJournal faced reputational damage and user trust erosion due to the breach.
- Affected Sectors
- Social Media and Community Platforms
- Geographic Impact
- Global
What You Should Do
Recommended actions to take in response to this breach.
If You Were Affected
- •Change passwords on your LiveJournal account immediately and ensure it's unique.
- •Be vigilant for phishing attempts and other suspicious activities related to breached email accounts.
Preventive Measures
- •Always use strong, unique passwords for every online service.
- •Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible to secure accounts further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this breach and what it means for you.