By JANE HAMILTON
Published: Today
MILLIONS of frightened Facebook users were checking their accounts tonight after claims a hacker has put 1.5million stolen Facebook accounts up for sale on the black market.
Researchers at internet security firm VeriSign iDefense Labs said they had found stolen login details for the world's most popular social networking site on sale for as little as $25 for 1,000 on Russian website Carder.su.
The firm claimed a hacker called '*******' was offering log-in data for thousands of Facebook users at bargain prices.
A mysterious hacker called '*******' put bundles of 1,000 accounts with 10 or fewer friends on sale for just $25 (£16).
Accounts with more than 10 friends could be bought for $45 (£30).
Rick Howard director of iDefense, said the case points to a boom in the illegal trading of social networking accounts from Eastern Europe to the US.
But Facebook has poured scorn on the latest claims, saying '*******' was known to investigators for making wild claims.
Company spokesman Barry Schnitt said Facebook had tried to buy details from ******* during its own investigation but that "the hacker was unable to produce anything for our buyer".
Criminals typically steal data with 'phishing' techniques that trick users into giving out their passwords or with software that logs computer keystrokes.
The accounts can then be hijacked to send spam and malicious programs.
Personal information including birth dates, addresses and phone numbers can be used to commit identity fraud.
Users who fear their account has been hacked can also report the matter through the Help Centre.
Read more: xxxl://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2959014/15m-Facebook-profiles-stolen.html#ixzz0mzJ5BqkL
Published: Today
MILLIONS of frightened Facebook users were checking their accounts tonight after claims a hacker has put 1.5million stolen Facebook accounts up for sale on the black market.
Researchers at internet security firm VeriSign iDefense Labs said they had found stolen login details for the world's most popular social networking site on sale for as little as $25 for 1,000 on Russian website Carder.su.
The firm claimed a hacker called '*******' was offering log-in data for thousands of Facebook users at bargain prices.
A mysterious hacker called '*******' put bundles of 1,000 accounts with 10 or fewer friends on sale for just $25 (£16).
Accounts with more than 10 friends could be bought for $45 (£30).
Rick Howard director of iDefense, said the case points to a boom in the illegal trading of social networking accounts from Eastern Europe to the US.
But Facebook has poured scorn on the latest claims, saying '*******' was known to investigators for making wild claims.
Company spokesman Barry Schnitt said Facebook had tried to buy details from ******* during its own investigation but that "the hacker was unable to produce anything for our buyer".
Criminals typically steal data with 'phishing' techniques that trick users into giving out their passwords or with software that logs computer keystrokes.
The accounts can then be hijacked to send spam and malicious programs.
Personal information including birth dates, addresses and phone numbers can be used to commit identity fraud.
Users who fear their account has been hacked can also report the matter through the Help Centre.
Read more: xxxl://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2959014/15m-Facebook-profiles-stolen.html#ixzz0mzJ5BqkL
