**Hacker Database Gets Hacked: 324,000 Accounts Compromised**

The infamous hacker forum BreachForums, notorious for distributing leaked and stolen data, has suffered a devastating blow of its own. In a bizarre twist of events, the very database used by hackers to trade in illicit goods and information has been compromised, exposing nearly 324,000 user accounts to potential exploitation.

The breach was discovered when an archive containing sensitive data popped up on a website linked to the ShinyHunters extortion gang. Among the files leaked was an SQL file, which holds the keys to unlocking crucial information about BreachForums' users. This includes usernames, IP addresses, and registration dates – a treasure trove of personal data that could be used for malicious purposes.

A cursory glance at the file reveals some surprising insights into the habits of hackers. While most of the listed IP addresses are simple loopback addresses, designed to evade detection, a staggering 70,296 public IP addresses have been exposed. These addresses can potentially be linked back to the attached user accounts, making it easier for investigators to track down individuals involved in illicit activities.

Adding insult to injury is the claim made by the ShinyHunters gang that BreachForums itself is a "honeypot" – a fake website designed to lure in unsuspecting hackers. This assertion has sparked controversy, with some questioning whether law enforcement agencies might indeed be using such tactics to catch malicious actors.

As it turns out, this breach is not the first of its kind to hit BreachForums. The forum has previously suffered data breaches, and this latest incident raises questions about the security measures in place (or lack thereof) at the hacked platform. According to administrators, the leaked files were stored in an "unsecured folder" while the forum was being migrated from its old domain to its current one.

BreachForums serves as a marketplace for hackers and malicious parties to buy, sell, and trade hacking tools and stolen data. Its reputation has been marred by numerous controversies over the years, including a previous shutdown in August 2025 when law enforcement seized the website and shut down the domain. Despite this setback, BreachForums has continued to operate under a new guise, raising concerns about the ease with which hackers can evade detection.

The ShinyHunters gang's involvement in this breach is particularly intriguing, given their own history of extortion and malicious activities. It remains to be seen whether this latest development will lead to increased scrutiny of BreachForums and its users or further fuel the cat-and-mouse game between hackers and law enforcement.