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Thousands of Capitol Hill staffers’ info spilled across dark web, security firm says
Washington Times ^ | 09/24/2024 | Ryan Lovelace

Posted on 09/24/2024 3:01:04 PM PDT by DFG

Personal information for some 3,191 congressional staffers has been leaked across the dark web, according to new research from internet security firm Proton being released Tuesday.

The firm said the data available in the hidden online hubs includes passwords, IP addresses and information from social media platforms.

“Many of these leaks likely occurred because staffers used their official email addresses to sign up for various services, including high-risk sites such as dating and adult websites, which were later compromised in data breaches,” Proton said in a statement. “This situation highlights a critical security lapse, where sensitive work-related emails became entangled with less secure, third-party platforms.”

Proton, working with the firm Constella Intelligence, said it uncovered 1,848 passwords belonging to the political staffers available on the dark web, the digital underground frequented by hackers perusing difficult-to-find information.

The research showed one staffer alone had 31 passwords exposed online.

“The volume of exposed accounts among U.S. political staffers is alarming, and the potential consequences of compromised accounts could be severe,” said Eamonn Maguire, Proton head of account security, in a statement. “Vigilance and strict security measures are essential to safeguard personal and national security.”

The Switzerland-based Proton estimated that the information on nearly 1 in 5 congressional staffers is visible online. Nearly 300 staffers had their data exposed in more than 10 separate leaks.

Proton said it has reached out to all of the affected congressional staffers to alert them and the company said the exposed information were unrelated to Proton’s services that include products such as encrypted email accounts and password managers.

The company said it would share additional information about its findings on its blog this week, as the coming U.S. presidential election made the cybersecurity practices of influential staffers “more critical than ever.”

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Crime/Corruption; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: capitolhill; cesspool; cyberattack; cybersecurity; darkweb; data; databreach; hack; passwords; proton; staff; uscapitol
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1 posted on 09/24/2024 3:01:04 PM PDT by DFG
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To: DFG

GOOD.

Deep state communist idiots. Maybe soon we will replace you with half as many and stop getting your hidden booby traps in mega bills no one reads or understands.

Yea, if you were doing that kind of crap, it’s time to go.

In the 2024 Trump administration.

Good riddance.


2 posted on 09/24/2024 3:07:24 PM PDT by Weirdad (Orthodox Americanism: It's what's good for the world! (Not communifascism!))
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To: DFG
What? Government has the best security of anybody.


3 posted on 09/24/2024 3:07:52 PM PDT by DannyTN
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To: DFG

Who really cares about government and deep state staffers?
3,191? Shoot, that’s just 30 Que-Mala rally buses being astro turfed.

Their plight is no different than the 3/4ths of the normal peons out in America whose information has been leaked because government demands too much information in everything they do and require you to do.

Cry me a river.


4 posted on 09/24/2024 3:08:32 PM PDT by Gaffer
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To: DFG

Why would they use their government email addresses for dating sites?


5 posted on 09/24/2024 3:09:42 PM PDT by monkeyshine (live and let live is dead)
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To: DFG

How do we know it was just “staffers” doing this?


6 posted on 09/24/2024 3:13:58 PM PDT by jpp113
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To: jpp113

We don’t, but it’s probably a safe bet that there are some senators and reps using a government email under a phony name.


7 posted on 09/24/2024 3:22:02 PM PDT by ken in texas
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To: DFG

Let them Squirm


8 posted on 09/24/2024 3:27:31 PM PDT by butlerweave
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To: DFG

Sounds like 3191 more congressional staffers than we need.


9 posted on 09/24/2024 3:34:21 PM PDT by Marko413
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To: monkeyshine

Because they are Demoncrat morons. They didn’t want their “personal” information exposed… what a bunch of idiots.


10 posted on 09/24/2024 3:38:31 PM PDT by Shady (The Force of Liberty must prevail for the sake of our Children and Grandchildren...)
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To: DFG

I want to see the WH staffer post with the subject line: “Has anyone seen my coke?”


11 posted on 09/24/2024 3:39:44 PM PDT by know.your.why (Floyd)
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To: DFG; SaveFerris; PROCON; SunkenCiv; Gamecock

12 posted on 09/24/2024 3:40:01 PM PDT by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
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To: DFG

13 posted on 09/24/2024 3:42:20 PM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: DFG

Translation:

Due to dei hiring freaks the ladt 20 years, evrty govt employee is a perv, using freaky dating sites, compromising any and all sense of duty, honor, country, and security.

Of course, and the govt is ok with that.


14 posted on 09/24/2024 3:56:11 PM PDT by If You Want It Fixed - Fix It
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To: monkeyshine

Anyone else who used a company email address for porn would be fired immediately.

EC


15 posted on 09/24/2024 4:12:59 PM PDT by Ex-Con777
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To: DFG

The information of every American was leaked a month or so ago. Wife and I were both notified by Experian ours is out there as it is for everyone reading this.

Lock your credit file if you haven’t already.


16 posted on 09/24/2024 4:24:41 PM PDT by IamConservative (I was nervous like the third chimp in line for the Ark after the rain started.)
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To: CatOwner
Classic PI reveal from black hat RAT Userscripts. Stupid easy from the easy stupid. LOFL!

Your "President Harris" will kick in your door from your Userscript info dump. Schadenfreude!

17 posted on 09/24/2024 4:45:11 PM PDT by StAnDeliver (TrumpII)
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To: Larry Lucido; dfwgator; null and void

I just had to ask somebody for their PIN # as I was sent to pick up some Taco Bell!

dfwgator can join me for dinner at ........ Taco Bell

I’ll be driving an Olds 4-4-2

Nully will be in the trunk - we might have to untie him so that he can eat...


18 posted on 09/24/2024 4:58:53 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: SaveFerris

You’d better! I’m not pleasant when I’m hungry.


19 posted on 09/24/2024 5:00:41 PM PDT by null and void (Don't hallucinate and legislate, don't hallucinate and educate, don't hallucinate and procreate)
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To: null and void

Just don’t eat the spare tire, please.

You want a medium drink or large?


20 posted on 09/24/2024 5:09:31 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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