Hackers Target Hollywood's Elite and Popular Figures' Personal Info in Agressive Celebrity Doxxing Attacks

Twitter is all abuzz with the recent doxxing of Jay-Z, Beyonce, Ashton Kutcher, Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, Brittany Spears, Sarah Palin, Paris Hilton, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, FBI Director Robert Mueller, Kim Kardashian, and other high profile celebs and public figures. Dox is slang for document and doxxing is the act of uncovering documents containing personal identifying information (pii) about someone and publishing it for the world to see. Hackers love to flex their muscles and what better way than to dox Hollywood's elite, as well as the 'untouchable' of US government and police officials to let them know not even they are off limits.

News headlines covering the story pointed to a new website called Exposed (exposed(dot)su) in which the very much private information of recognizable and famous people is published. We're talking real phone numbers, social security numbers, birth dates, home addresses, mortgage payments, credit reports, bank statements, and other sensitive information usually hidden from public eye. Without a doubt doxxing has malicious intent, even if just to embarrass or expose the target. However, the lines are somewhat grayed when it comes to legal ramifications. For instance, while some early reports indicate Expose is operated by a Russian individual, publishing or reporting alone doesn't speak conspiracy and thus cannot guarantee legal cause or action. The Justice Department, however, is hoping to learn how private information of FBI Director Robert Mueller was obtained, possibly providing an illegal trespass punishable by law.

This recent doxxing attack makes clear no party is exempt from cybercrime attacks, whether high profile celebs, public figures, government, businesses or the average Joe connected to the Internet for personal enjoyment or professional use. US businesses struggle daily to keep confidential business information and proprietary technologies out of the hands of hackers who unleash phishing and other malware strategies to hack into protected databases and servers.

In fact, President Obama is meeting with corporate leaders today to discuss growing cyber security concerns, especially those rooting out of China. So whether we want to admit it or not, cybercrime is at an all time high and is escalating as new technologies are developed offering microwave functionality and users 24/7 access to the filing cabinet of the world – the web. While money is the root of most evils, it is not the only driving force behind cybercrime. Malware strategies and warheads are also used to cripple infrastructures or destroy defense weapons, as rumored to be the underlying intent of Stuxnet, a sophisticated computer worm used to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.

Yes, it's true; we are not in Kansas anymore. And as we enter into this new millennium threat of a pending cybergeddon, we cannot continue to ignore warnings to better guard and protect our home and work systems. Computer security begins at the most basic level, with the every day user who needs to ensure the following:

Secure your Internet connection!

• Use a dual firewall.
• Invest in a stealth antimalware solution and keep it effective at all times to scan incoming and outgoing transfers, i.e. downloads. Your choice should be one that updates definitions around the clock and offers a custom fix, if need be, to counter release of zero-day exploits.

Secure your computer!

• Keep software updated and patched and set up automatic notifications.
• Use strong passwords that are hard to crack and keep them secure!
• Do not change defaults unless you are an experienced user. Otherwise, you could be putting your own system at risk!
• While you may be leery of some websites and know to stay away, guests may not. Therefore, restrict access to suspicious websites by editing your hosts file to avoid mishaps.
• Limit user privileges as many malicious programs seek administrative privileges to run.

Practice safe online habits!

• Do not pirate and stay clear of risky websites, i.e. warez, porn, gambling, etc.
• As an extra precaution, perform banking or financial transactions using a virtual environment.
• Never bank or do online transactions using a public and unsecured Internet connection.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Hackers are cunning and may stand behind you at an ATM or look over your shoulders in public WIFI environments.
• Verify the source of links, attachments and downloads before clicking. Surprising is that many attacks come at the hands of victims who click too fast!
• Do not fall for phishing attacks that ask for too much of your personal information. Remember, doxxing begins with just one form of basic information, such as your email address, and yet leads to uncovering more private information.

In today's volatile and escalating malware environment, there seems no 100% guarantee you are safe from an attack or violation of your privacy. However, being proactive by securing your system and Internet connection, backing up your data offline, and practicing safe online habits will surely minimize your chances of becoming a victim.