In 2012, 73% of their customers' password were stolen from the largest professional social networking site, impacting over 117 million user accounts.
Storage of the passwords was not particularly secure, resulting in security researchers being able to unencrypt 90% of them within 72 hours. Analysis of the passwords provides interesting insights into user’s typical password use as well as how those passwords are shared across a variety of their accounts.
It is alleged that the hack was carried out by a Russian hacker who has been arrested. The subsequent FBI investigation and legal proceedings have even led to diplomatic tensions between the US and Russia.
In February 2015, a settlement was reached related to this incident.
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