Hackers claim to have breached MIT Technology Review Magazine via a third-party contractor, leaking nearly 300,000 user records on Breach Forums. Data includes full names, email addresses, and activity details, posing risks for phishing and targeted scams.
In a new data breach disclosed today, the hacker known as Intel Broker claims to have stolen the personal data of 290,762 individuals from MIT’s Technology Review website via a third-party contractor. The data, which could be the website’s newsletter subscribers list, was posted on Breach Forums, a popular cybercrime platform, earlier today.
Intel Broker, notorious for recent attacks on high-profile organizations, alleges that the data includes Personally Identifiable Information. Hackread.com analyzed the leaked data and can confirm it includes personal details, which, while not as sensitive as financial data, could be leveraged in phishing attempts or targeted scams. Here is what the hacker has leaked:
- Full names
- Dates of activity
- Educational details
- Email addresses (3,924 – After removal of duplicates: 1,343)
Though the leak does not appear to contain highly sensitive information like passwords, social security numbers or financial data, the compromised data is still a privacy risk, as it could be exploited for phishing scams or identity verification attacks.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time Intel Broker has targeted a technology publication. In June 2024, an affiliate of Intel Broker breached the “Tech in Asia” news outlet, leaking the personal data of 221,470 users.
MIT Technology Review, an esteemed publication from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is known for its analysis of emerging technologies and their impact on society. This data breach potentially exposes readers and contributors who engaged with the platform, a situation that may lead to reputational challenges for the publication, as well as privacy concerns for its user base.
Recent Activity of Intel Broker
The alleged breach of Technology Review comes on the heels of another claim by Intel Broker, who recently advertised the sale of sensitive internal data from Nokia on the same forum, allegedly obtained through a similar contractor vulnerability. In the Nokia case, the hacker reportedly set a price of $20,000 for access to the stolen data, which included SSH keys, source code, and login credentials.
Privacy Implications and MIT’s Response
With names, email addresses, and activity data accessible, cybercriminals may use this information to craft sophisticated schemes aimed at those connected with the platform. Hackread.com has reached out to MIT’s Technology Review for a response regarding the data breach. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Stay tuned.
