Facebook accounts exposed!

02 Nov 12 18:59 by in category Uncategorized

A security flaw in the popular social networking site Facebook’s notification systems has rendered the accounts of some users accessible without passwords.

The website Hackers News first exposed the flaw and demonstrated how it was possible to compromise Facebook accounts using a search string that exploits a system used by Facebook for letting users quickly log back in to their accounts.

Facebook permits users to log in more conveniently by clicking links to status updates or other notifications from the site and the log in details are amalgamated into the links. Normally this is fairly safe as the links are only sent to the account holders email addresses but poor security with a number of disposable email service providers has revealed these details online, thus enabling the hackers to log in to other users accounts.

Facebook have been pretty quick to act and have suspended this service pending a more permanent fix.

The BBC discusses this story further here.

10 Comments on Facebook accounts exposed!

coolcolors
Posts: 6481
Posted on: 02 Nov 12 19:53
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wombler View Post
I just posted the article Facebook accounts exposed!.



Click to read the full article here: http://www.myce.com/news/facebook-ac...exposed-64617/

Feel free to add your comments below.

Please note that the reactions from the complete site will be synched below.
So what else is new .... once your a big target hackers aka crackers will break it it just a matter of time. And if your company doesn't want to fix it will then let the cracking begin...for the crackers that is.....
Wombler
Posts: 9578
Posted on: 03 Nov 12 13:05
Yeah everything these days is potentially open to attack so it's just a case of making sure things are as secure as possible.

Facebook hasn't exactly had the best of a history in this regard though.


Wombler
Mr. Belvedere
Posts: 18833
Posted on: 03 Nov 12 22:35
And people still wonder why i don't have a facebook or linkedin account...
TSJnachos117
Posts: 326
Posted on: 04 Nov 12 19:07
I found a perfect way to avoid having private information displayed to everyone on the internet. It's a powerful concept that the rest of the world just doesn't seem to grasp:

If there's something you don't want the world to know DON'T POST IT ON FACEBOOK!. Seriously, it's not that hard of a concept.
Wombler
Posts: 9578
Posted on: 04 Nov 12 21:35
Quote:
Originally Posted by TSJnachos117 View Post
I found a perfect way to avoid having private information displayed to everyone on the internet. It's a powerful concept that the rest of the world just doesn't seem to grasp:

If there's something you don't want the world to know DON'T POST IT ON FACEBOOK!. Seriously, it's not that hard of a concept.
Some people see it as a necessary evil though.


Wombler
debro
Posts: 13326
Posted on: 06 Nov 12 11:59
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wombler View Post
Some people see it as a necessary evil though.


Wombler
How are facebook & linkedin necessary?
ChristineBCW
Posts: 1298
Posted on: 06 Nov 12 15:32
Quote:
Originally Posted by debro View Post
How are facebook & linkedin necessary?
I think they're connected to the oxygen supply on this planet. Not sure, though. THEY certainly seem to cast themselves as such... either oxygen or water supply. Or both.

There may also be something about gluing a phone's earpiece to our skull so we're constantly connected to someone, somewhere for some reason. And we'll be paying for it, too. That is the real requirement.
alan1476
Posts: 18348
Posted on: 06 Nov 12 19:21
Facebook and Linkedin are great networking tools, I have met people I never would have had the chance to see or meet. I have made many acquaintances and prospective clients for business. Its a personal choice whether you have something to offer or something you want people to know about. If you have a business that works on a multi national platform then you should network, its the future.
Wombler
Posts: 9578
Posted on: 06 Nov 12 21:17
Quote:
Originally Posted by debro View Post
How are facebook & linkedin necessary?
They aren't but some people see it that way.


Wombler
Mr. Belvedere
Posts: 18833
Posted on: 07 Nov 12 15:45
Quote:
Originally Posted by debro View Post
How are facebook & linkedin necessary?
50 Year old colleague to me "Dude, you gotta help me with my mobile phone. It doesn't work anymore with emails. I need those emails. I need that phone! I cannot work without that phone!"

Me "Really? Sooo.. how did you do your work 20 years ago?"

Colleague ... [thinks.. gets angry.. silenced and walks away]
Tell us, what do you think about

Facebook accounts exposed!

Most popular headlines

Windows Blue to allow boot to desktop and brings start menu back? (3)

  • Tue 16 Apr 16:12 by DoMiN8ToR
  • Software, Windows 8

The upcoming update of Windows 8 might allow users to boot to the desktop again.

Jobs in US entertainment industry on all-time high - piracy?! (8)

The number of jobs in the film and music industry in the United States has increased despite the claimed negative effects of illegal downloads.

The Piratebay domain moves to Greenland - circumvents blockade (3)

The PirateBay has moved to the domain thepiratebay.gl in fear that their previous domain would be ceased by Swedish authorities

Intel 9 series chipset has native SATA Express (SATA over PCIe) support (2)

A Chinese tech site has posted a picture that reveals details on Intel's 9 series chipset.

See all headlines

Active Commenters