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Pornhub Targeted in Extortion Attempt Following Mixpanel Breach Exposing User Activity
**In a shocking turn of events, adult-content website Pornhub has been targeted by hackers in an extortion attempt following a data breach at analytics provider Mixpanel. The breach, which was first detected on November 8, compromised the search and viewing history of Premium users, leaving them vulnerable to blackmail, reputational damage, and identity theft.
**A Glimpse into the Analytics World**
Mixpanel is a product analytics platform that companies use to understand how people interact with their apps or websites. Many tech companies rely on Mixpanel to make data-driven decisions about features, performance, and customer journeys. However, in this case, the platform's security was compromised, allowing hackers to steal sensitive information from Pornhub Premium users.
**A Statement from Pornhub**
In a statement published by Pornhub, the company acknowledged the breach, assuring users that their passwords, payment details, and financial information remain secure. The statement reads:
"A recent cybersecurity incident involving Mixpanel, a third-party data analytics provider, has impacted some Pornhub Premium users. Specifically, this situation affects only select Premium users. It is important to note this was not a breach of Pornhub Premium's systems."
**The Extortion Attempt**
Hackers linked to ShinyHunters are allegedly extorting Pornhub by threatening to expose the sensitive information they stole from Mixpanel. The group claims to have stolen 94GB of data, including over 200 million records, which contain highly sensitive details such as emails, locations, video metadata, and timestamps.
**The Role of Mixpanel**
Mixpanel has denied that the data was stolen directly from their platform, stating that it was last accessed by a legitimate Pornhub parent company employee account in 2023. However, BleepingComputer reports that ShinyHunters is extorting Mixpanel customers, claiming to have stolen sensitive information.
**The Risks**
Exposure of Pornhub Premium users' search and viewing history poses serious privacy and security risks. Users may face:
* **Blackmail and extortion**: Hackers can use this information to blackmail or extort users. * **Reputational damage**: The exposure of sensitive information can harm a user's reputation and credibility. * **Identity theft**: If linked to emails or locations, users may be vulnerable to identity theft. * **Long-term loss of anonymity**: If the information is leaked or resold, users may lose their anonymity.
**A Statement from Mixpanel**
Mixpanel has not commented further on the breach, but BleepingComputer reports that they do not believe the data came from their November 2025 breach.
**The Rise of ShinyHunters**
ShinyHunters has been linked to major breaches in 2025, including an Oracle E-Business Suite zero-day, Salesforce/Drift and GainSight attacks, and the Mixpanel breach. The group is also launching the ShinySpid3r ransomware-as-a-service platform.
**Stay Vigilant**
As a precautionary measure, Pornhub has urged users to stay vigilant and watch for suspicious activity. Users are advised to monitor their accounts closely and report any unusual activity to the authorities.
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