{"id":2059177,"date":"2023-10-07T17:41:01","date_gmt":"2023-10-07T21:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/genetic-testing-firm-23andme-confirms-millions-of-users-data-put-on-sale-launches-probe\/"},"modified":"2023-10-07T17:44:54","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T21:44:54","slug":"genetic-testing-firm-23andme-confirms-millions-of-users-data-put-on-sale-launches-probe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/genetic-testing-firm-23andme-confirms-millions-of-users-data-put-on-sale-launches-probe\/","title":{"rendered":"Genetic testing firm 23andMe confirms data sale, launches investigation."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgenetic-testing-firm-23andme-confirms-millions-of-users-data-put-on-sale-launches-probe%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2059177&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>Genetic testing \u200dcompany 23andMe has\u200d launched an investigation into a potential data breach after the personal data of millions of users was\u200b discovered \u2062for \u200dsale on the dark web.<\/p>\n<p>A hacker has advertised the personal information\u2064 of seven million users on an online\u2062 forum, including details such as origin \u200cestimation, phenotype, health \u200binformation, photos, and identification data.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">The post \u200bwas\u200b captured by Dark Web Informer, who <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DarkWebInformer\/status\/1709348139793068069\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shared<\/a> \u2064it on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Oct. \u200c4. The hacker claims that 23andMe&#8217;s CEO was aware of the &#8220;hack&#8221; two months ago and that they \u2063obtained &#8220;13 million pieces of data.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode\">\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<h2 class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/world\/perinatal-and-child-registry-data-breach-affects-health-info-of-3-million-ontarians-5498131?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Perinatal and Child Registry Data\u200b Breach Affects \u2063Health Info of 3 Million Ontarians<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/25\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/world\/perinatal-and-child-registry-data-breach-affects-health-info-of-3-million-ontarians-5498131?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/world\/air-canada-reports-brief-cybersecurity-breach-compromising-employee-data-5496225?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Air \u2062Canada Reports\u2062 &#8216;Brief&#8217; Cybersecurity Breach Compromising Employee Data<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/21\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/world\/air-canada-reports-brief-cybersecurity-breach-compromising-employee-data-5496225?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">Another\u2064 hacker \u2062has advertised sample data of\u200d one million \u200dusers\u2063 with Ashkenazi heritage on a hacking online forum. \u2064The hacker later offered to sell data profiles in bulk for \u200c$1-$10 per account,\u2062 according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bleepingcomputer.com\/news\/security\/genetics-firm-23andme-says-user-data-stolen-in-credential-stuffing-attack\/amp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BleepingComputer<\/a>. The data includes origin estimations, phenotype information, photos, links to potential relatives, and raw data profiles.<\/div>\n<p>In response, 23andMe released a\u2064 statement acknowledging that certain customer\u200b profile information\u2062 was\u200d compiled without authorization, but did not specify the number of affected \u200baccounts.<\/p>\n<p>23andMe, a California-based \u200dbiotechnology company specializing in genetic testing services, allows customers to explore their ancestral origins and \u200cmedical health.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode post-related-videos\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">&#8220;Upon discovering suspicious activity, we immediately launched an investigation,&#8221; the\u2063 company stated in a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.23andme.com\/articles\/addressing-data-security-concerns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">blog post<\/a> on Oct. 6.<\/div>\n<p>\u201cAt this time, we have no indication of a \u2062data security \u200cincident within\u2064 our systems or that 23andMe was the source of the account credentials used in these attacks,\u201d the company added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"lazyload-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The company suspects that &#8220;threat actors&#8221; gained access to accounts where users reused\u2063 login credentials, meaning the passwords \u200dused on 23andMe.com were the same as those used on previously compromised websites.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We believe that the threat actor may have\u2063 then, in violation of our \u200bTerms\u200d of Service, accessed 23andMe.com accounts without authorization\u200d and obtained information from certain\u200c accounts, including information about users&#8217; DNA Relatives profiles, to the extent a user opted into\u2062 that service,&#8221; \u200cit explained.<\/p>\n<p>Credential stuffing, the hacking technique used, is one of the reasons why cybersecurity\u2062 experts advise against using the same password for multiple\u2062 sites.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">Users are urged\u2064 to\u2063 reset\u200b their\u2064 passwords or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/crypto-com-acknowledges-hackers-stole-34-million-from-customer-accounts\/\" title=\"Crypto.com Acknowledges Hackers Stole  million from Customer Accounts\">enable multi-factor authentication<\/a>, which adds an extra layer of security and can prevent unauthorized access through reused passwords. \u200b <\/p>\n<h2>Other Data Breach Cases<\/h2>\n<p> \u2064 This incident follows the exposure of personal data belonging to 1.24 million customers of Australian bookstore chain Dymocks on the dark web. After conducting an internal investigation, Dymocks <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/world\/one-million-dymocks-customers-exposed-online-in-data-breach-5494103\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">confirmed<\/a> that a third-party partner&#8217;s systems were accessed on Sept. 18.<\/div>\n<p>However, Dymocks stated that &#8220;there is no\u200d evidence of unauthorized access \u200dto \u2063our systems.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are collaborating with the identified partner \u2064to determine how their systems \u2062were accessed despite their \u200dsecurity measures,&#8221; said a Dymocks spokesperson.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;While the extent of the breach has not been confirmed, initial\u200c indications suggest\u2063 that passwords and financial information have not been compromised.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In January, the personal data of 2.6 million users of language-learning platform Duolingo was put up \u200bfor sale on a hacking forum for $1,500. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-twitter-employee-convicted-of-spying-for-saudi-arabia\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Twitter Employee Convicted Of Spying For Saudi Arabia\">data included email addresses<\/a>, \u2063phone numbers, and \u200cother \u2063details.<\/p>\n<p>Duolingo\u2063 stated that it is investigating the\u2064 matter\u200d but has not found any evidence of a data breach or hack. The company believes the hacker may have obtained the records by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/genetic-testing-firm-23andme-confirms-millions-of-users-data-put-on-sale-launches-probe\/\" title=\"Genetic testing firm 23andMe confirms data sale, launches investigation.\">scraping public profile information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">&#8220;No data breach or hack has occurred. We take data privacy and security \u2063seriously and continue to\u2063 investigate\u200c this matter to ensure the protection of our learners,&#8221; the company <a href=\"https:\/\/therecord.media\/duolingo-investigating-dark-web-post-offering-data-from-2-6-million-accounts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">informed<\/a> The Record.<\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\"><em>Isabella Rayner and Reuters contributed to this report.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How \u200ccan individuals\u2062 protect their\u2064 accounts and personal information\u2062 from potential \u200dcyber threats when\u200c using online services like 23andMe<\/h2>\n<p><span>  &#8220;>23andMe\u200b is taking this situation very seriously and is taking steps to investigate and address the issue,&#8221; the company \u2064said in its statement. &#8220;We\u2064 are notifying affected customers and resetting their passwords. We are also enhancing our security measures to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-gif-tiff-sparks-mandatory-anti-racism-training-at-cornell\/\" title=\"Kamala GIF Tiff Sparks Mandatory \u2018Anti-Racism\u2019 Training at Cornell\">prevent similar incidents<\/a> in the future.&#8221;<\/div>\n<p>This incident highlights the importance of safeguarding personal\u2062 information and\u200b the potential risks associated with genetic testing services. While these services can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-randomly-makes-up-story-about-being-born-in-same-hospital-his-grandfather-died-at-weeks-prior\/\" title=\"Biden Randomly Makes Up Story About Being Born in Same Hospital His Grandfather Died at Weeks Prior\">provide valuable insights<\/a> into ancestry and health, they \u200balso involve the sharing of sensitive data that can be\u200c targeted \u200cby hackers.<\/p>\n<p>It is crucial for individuals to understand the \u2062privacy and security measures \u2062implemented by genetic testing companies before sharing their \u200cpersonal information. This\u2064 includes reviewing the company&#8217;s\u2063 data protection policies, understanding how the data will be\u200b used and stored, and considering \u2063the potential risks and benefits\u200b of participating \u200din genetic testing.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, users should\u2064 take precautionary measures to protect their accounts and personal information. This includes using unique and strong\u200b passwords\u2064 for each online account, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly monitoring and reviewing account activity.<\/p>\n<p>Cybersecurity experts \u200calso stress the importance\u2062 of being vigilant for potential phishing attacks and suspicious emails or messages. Hackers\u2063 may attempt to exploit this incident by sending fraudulent emails or requesting sensitive information, posing as \u2063representatives of 23andMe or other companies.<\/p>\n<p>If users\u200c receive any suspicious communications, it is advised to independently verify the source and validity of the information before taking any action. This can be done by contacting the company directly through official contact channels or visiting their\u200b official website.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, the\u2063 reported data \u200cbreach at 23andMe raises concerns about\u200c the security and \u2064privacy of\u2064 personal information. Genetic testing companies \u200band individuals must prioritize robust security measures and proactive\u2063 actions to safeguard \u200dsensitive data. This incident serves as a reminder for\u2063 individuals to \u2064be cautious and\u200c diligent when\u200b sharing personal information\u2063 online and \u200dto remain\u2064 vigilant against potential cyber threats.<\/p>\n<p>As\u200c the\u200b investigation into\u2062 the data breach continues, it will be crucial for 23andMe to provide regular updates and transparency to affected users to rebuild\u2064 trust and demonstrate \u200dtheir commitment to protecting customer data.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Genetic testing firm 23andMe is probing a potential data breach as personal details of millions of users were found for sale on the dark web. A hacker advertised the information, including users&#8217; origin estimation and phenotype, on an online forum. The company is taking the matter seriously and investigating the incident.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":299,"featured_media":2059178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2059177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2059177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/299"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2059177"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2059177\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2059178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2059177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2059177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2059177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}