**Hacking Group ShinyHunters Claims Theft of Data from Pornhub Users**
A notorious hacking group, known as ShinyHunters, has claimed responsibility for stealing data from premium users of the adult entertainment website Pornhub. The hackers are now threatening to expose sensitive information about these users unless a ransom payment is made in Bitcoin.
According to an online chat with Reuters, ShinyHunters stated that they had obtained data belonging to 14 premium users of Pornhub's high-end service, which offers high-definition videos, ad-free watching, and virtual reality features. The hackers provided a sample of the data, which was partially authenticated by Reuters.
At least three former Pornhub customers confirmed to Reuters that their information in the leaked data was authentic, although it was several years old. These individuals spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter.
The hacking group has been linked to a string of high-profile hacks and extortion attempts in recent months, including data breaches at Salesforce and luxury retailers in the UK. ShinyHunters' claims that the data was obtained from the recent Mixpanel cybersecurity incident are disputed by the analytics provider, which states that its investigation found no indication that Pornhub's data was stolen.
Pornhub and its corporate owners, Ethical Capital Partners, did not respond to messages requesting comment on the breach. The company previously disclosed a cybersecurity incident involving third-party data analytics provider Mixpanel, but stated that it affected an undisclosed number of premium users and involved only a limited set of analytics events.
ShinyHunters' demands for a ransom payment in Bitcoin have raised concerns about the potential consequences of the breach. The group's reputation as a hacking collective with a history of aggressive tactics has sparked fears among cybersecurity experts that they may follow through on their threat to publish sensitive information about Pornhub users.
**Background on ShinyHunters and Mixpanel**
ShinyHunters is an established hacking group known for its high-profile hacks and extortion attempts. In recent months, the group has targeted Salesforce and luxury retailers in the UK, among other victims. Their methods often involve stealing sensitive information from companies and threatening to expose it unless a ransom payment is made.
Mixpanel, on the other hand, is a data analytics provider that helps its clients gain detailed visibility into user data and activities. The company disclosed a cybersecurity incident in November, stating that it had occurred in its environment and involved a limited set of analytics events for some users. However, ShinyHunters claims that the data was obtained from this incident.
**Reactions to the Breach**
The breach has sparked concerns about the security measures in place at Pornhub and its corporate owners. Cybersecurity experts have expressed alarm at the potential consequences of the breach, including the risk of sensitive information being exposed.
As the situation continues to unfold, users of Pornhub's premium service are left wondering if their data is safe. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in protecting sensitive information from hacking groups like ShinyHunters.