**Hacking Group 'ShinyHunters' Threatens to Expose Premium Users of Sex Site Pornhub**

A notorious hacking group has set its sights on one of the web's most popular sex sites, threatening to expose the identities of thousands of premium users. ShinyHunters, a well-known cybercrime collective, claims to have stolen sensitive data from Pornhub, including personal details and browsing history.

The hacking group, which has been linked to high-profile hacks and extortion attempts in recent months, has demanded a ransom payment in Bitcoin to prevent the publication of the data. If its demands are not met, ShinyHunters plans to release the sensitive information online, potentially embarrassing and compromising for those affected.

Pornhub, which claims over 100 million daily visits and 36 billion annual visits, is one of the web's leading purveyors of sexual content. The site offers a premium service that provides users with high-definition videos, ad-free watching, and virtual reality experiences. However, it appears that even this paid-for service may not be secure from cyber threats.

Reuters was able to authenticate at least six individuals whose data was provided by ShinyHunters as part of the breach. These individuals confirmed that they had been signed up to Pornhub's premium service at some point in the past. The scope and scale of the breach are still unclear, but it is evident that thousands of users may be affected.

The hacking group claims that the data was connected to a recent cybersecurity incident involving third-party data analytics provider Mixpanel, which was disclosed on November 27. However, Mixpanel has denied this claim, stating that its investigation into the incident found no evidence that Pornhub's data was stolen from their system.

ShinyHunters is an established hacking group with a history of high-profile hacks and extortion attempts. In recent months, they have targeted customers of Salesforce and luxury retailers in the UK, among others. The group's motivations for targeting Pornhub are unclear, but it is likely that they are seeking to extort money from the site or its users.

The breach highlights the ongoing threat of cybercrime and the importance of robust security measures in protecting sensitive data. As the web continues to evolve and become increasingly dependent on online services, the risk of cyber attacks will only continue to grow.

**Key Points:**

* ShinyHunters claims to have stolen data from Pornhub's premium users * The hacking group is demanding a ransom payment in Bitcoin to prevent publication of the data * At least six individuals whose data was provided by ShinyHunters confirmed that they had been signed up to Pornhub's premium service * Mixpanel has denied any connection between their recent cybersecurity incident and the Pornhub breach * ShinyHunters is an established hacking group with a history of high-profile hacks and extortion attempts