Tag Archives: Hacked

Syniverse Was Hacked in 2016



Have you heard of Syniverse? In short, it provides a service that works in the background and enables people to use their smartphones to call or text their friends and families. That’s exactly why it is a very big deal that Syniverse got hacked.

According to Vice, Syniverse is a critical part of the global telecommunication infrastructure used by AT&T-Movile, Verizon, Vodafone, China Mobile and others.

In a Filings Report with the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission, Syniverse pointed out that it had been hacked in 2016. Here is a small portion of that section of the report:

…For example, in May of 2021, Syniverse became aware of unauthorized access to its operational and information technology servers by an unknown individual or organization… Promptly, upon Syniverse’s detection of the unauthorized access, Syniverse launched an internal investigation, notified law enforcement, commenced remedial actions and engaged the services of specialized legal counsel and other incident response professionals. Syniverse has conducted a thorough investigation of the incident.

The results of the investigation revealed that the unauthorized access began on May 2016. Syniverse’s investigation revealed that the individual or organization gained unauthorized access to databases within its network on several occasions, and that login information allowing access to or from its Electronic Data Transfer (EDT) environment was compromised for approximately 235 of its customers…

Daring Fireball pointed out that 235 customers doesn’t sound like a lot. But then realized that Syniverse’s “customers” are carriers, not people. Another problem pointed out on Daring Fireball was that Syniverse discovered the data breach in May of 2021, but the hack began in May of 2016.

It seems to me that it is possible that a lot of people’s data and information could have been stolen and used for nefarious purposes. This is really bad. I think Syniverse should have publicly mentioned the data breach years ago, instead of attempting to quietly let their investors know about it in 2021.


“Gigabites of Data” Accessed from Web Host Epik



You may have heard of Epik (the web host – not Epic the gaming company). According to Gizmodo, Epik the web host and domain registrar provides services to Gab, Parler, and Bitchute (which Gizmodo described as “conspiracy-theory-laden YouTube wannabe), and The Donald (a President Trump fansite).

Epik also recently hosted the Texas whistleblower website – which was intended to allow people to “snitch on Texas residents who want abortions.” Gizmodo reported that Epic forcibly removed the Texas site from the platform after determining it had violated Epik’s terms by non-consensually collecting third-party information.

Those sites seem to end up on Epik after breaking the terms of services of whatever mainstream hosting company they started with.

TechCrunch reported that hackers associated with the hacktivist collective Anonymous say they have leaked gigabytes of data from Epik. The hackers did not say how they obtained the breached data or when the hack took place. TechCrunch says that, according to time stamps, the most recent files suggest the hack “most likely” happened in late February.

It appears that the hackers have now released the information that was in the Epik data breach. TechCrunch reported what was in the data breach, based on a statement from the hackers.

What kind of information was in the data breach? TechCrunch reported that a statement was sent to a torrent file of the dumped data this week. It included a “decades worth” of company data, including “all that’s needed to trace actual ownership and management” of the company. The hackers claimed to have customer payment histories, domain purchases and transfers, passwords, credentials and employee mailboxes.

According to TechCrunch, Epik initially told reporters it was unaware of a breach but an email set out by founder and chief executive Robert Monster on Wednesday altered users to an “alleged security incident.” To me, it sounds like the damage had already been done before users were alerted to it by email.

This is a really good example of why you need to be absolutely certain that the web host that is hosting your content is a reliable one.


Twitter Adds Two Step Verification System



Twitter logoWhen Burger King got hacked, we all laughed at the idea McDonalds might have bought it. When the Associated Press got hacked, we noticed. But it took the Onion in getting hacked for Twitter to finally do something…

Twitter rolled out a two-step verification system for users to get extra protection against would-be hackers. The verification method includes a special code that is sent via phone when they try to log in. With this extra step using a cell phone, hackers can become thwarted in trying to access an account.

This is not a new process – Facebook and Google both give this second verification step in your security features. Its better than a password because you don’t need to remember one. Its also better than a “name your pet” verification because in some cases (like Sarah Palin) people know that information.

“Today we’re introducing a new security feature to better protect your Twitter account: login verification,” says Jimio from the Twitter Product Security Team on the Twitter blog. “With login verification enabled, your existing applications will continue to work without disruption. If you need to sign in to your Twitter account on other devices or apps, visit your applications page to generate a temporary password to log in and authorize that application.

If you choose not to opt in you run risk of getting hacked. Of course, you also need to keep your phone numbers up-to-date. If that changes, you might have problems getting into your accounts.

If your Twitter Gets Hacked

First, attempt to change your password. If you still can’t log in, contact Twitter through a Support request. (choosing “Hacked account” from the list of options).


GNC #669 Fantastic Show



The hardest part of the show is stopping when I have so much to share, but I am going to do my best to keep the show at 70 minutes. The number of you watching is proving keeping the format tight is good for audience growth. On tonight’s show, I have a pretty strong message for the Mac users so you need to listen in on this one.

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Listener Links:
GadgetTrak.
CNN Covered Derek Millers Death.
Climate Change Wi-Fi and Power Supply?
Microsoft Future Home (I want one)

Show Notes:
War at Anonymous #1
War at Anonymous #2
War at Anonymous #3
The Fortune Experiment.
Mac User Take Off Fan Boy Hat and Read!
War at the EU over Web Censorship.
Robot Underpants #1
French Hack Chrome!
Gamer 12 Step Plan!
LastPass Wake Up Call.
Twitter and RSS abandonment.
Amazing Video of Quadrocopters.
Apple and Nuance breaking it down.
Xbox + PayPal = User Rejoice.
Comcast VOD comes to Tivo DVRs
isoHunt Update.
4 Channel TV Tuner for PC.
23,000 new Lawsuits agains P2P users.
POD Sunset.
Vidcaster.
YouTube Video Rentals 2.0
Google I/O Info.
Five iPad Browsers.
Three Live Blog Tools.
Google Googles Update.
Every Shower needs on of these.
Color your Google Calendar.
Proof of Water on Mars?
Superbug.
AC/DC Assertions Ridiculous.
AP Apparently Infringing?
SkySurvey AWESOME!
9.57 Zettabytes.
FoxConn Slave Labor.
Endeavor May 16th launch.
Airbus A380 to SFO.
YouTube Founders buying Companies.
Domestic Surveillance 100% Approved.
Super Pump!
Pure Geek!


GNC-2010-07-06 #590 We have a Winner!



Congratulations to Katie she is our Lenovo A63 system winner. Big thank you to everyone that participated, this was our biggest response to a contest to date.  Some interesting feedback from the last show and my comments to those comments.  Big thank you to the Ohana for all that you do. I did not get the insider out this weekend but it is on my growing list for this week.  It will be a good one as I have a topic planned that will give you some insight into what I do day, to day to make the show better. Looking for volunteers for CES 2011!

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Insider / Ohana Links:
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The Geek’s Show Links:
Gopher I thought that was Dead.
Mobile protected in Canada!
Android Tablets Coming.
YouTube Hacked!
Cars for the Blind.
Browser Wars.
Crowd Sourcing?
eBay Cheats?
Skype competitor Google?
Flash for iPad?
iTunes Hacked.
Apple App store full of App Farms?
Droid Battery Tops.
ISS get’s their Supplies on try two.
10 Million Facebook Fans.
Helium Shortage?
TSA Blocking Free Speech?
July 1962 Hydrogen Bomb!
Guardian one ups Times of London.
Pirate Party to run Pirate Bay.
Windows Phone 7 at AT&T.
iPad $699 / Etch a Sketch 4.95
Robo Cop comes to your Car.
Is you Cup Warmer spying on you?
Opera 10.6
Ultimate Trench Coat.
Block Buster De-Listed.
NASA new Lunar Lander.
Digital Changes are you Ready?
Sprint HTC Evo Update.
How Lazy can we get?
ISS Picture.
Google and China on Mend?
Science Lab on Net.
** The Real Life Social Network **
paper.li
Flash on iPad via Legislation.
Future of online Socializing.
Internet Sales Tax the real deal.
Steve Jobs emails may not be Fake?

Send in your stories to geeknews@gmail.com and be sure to provide a link to your websites!


GNC-2010-06-10 #583 Hot Hot Hot!



Your Geek is Toast, I have been out in the hot Texas sun all day today.. Working on a new project that is going to excite everyone when I announce what I am up to. I must have drank a gallon of water… But that does not stop the tech news and wait till you hear what a school district is doing it is going to blow you away. The voice mail hotline is open 24/7 619-342-7365 or email the show geeknews@gmail.com You need to listen to win as well.

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Listener Links:
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Show Links:
iPad as Second Monitor.
FBI Investigating AT&T Security Breach.
Safari the Fastest?
Does AM need a Power Boost?
Electronic Tests?
South Korea Rocket Blows Up.
Second Life Layoff’s
New XP Exploit!
T-Mobile to get iPhone Next?
iPhone 4 Fragile?
Limewire 1 Billion – BP 75 Million.
Adobe 10.1 Upgrade Now!
Solar Sail Success.
Fed Judge goes against DHS.
* School Sells out!
Judge may rule against Mass Doe Lawsuits.
More Copyright in Canada.
Tailban Hacked :)
Marines have Solution for Oil Spill MOAB!
Asteroid Probe ETA Earth!
How Deep is that Oil Wreck!
Google Background here this morning gone tonight.
25 Safari Extensions.
Twitter Death Sentence.
Kevin Rose to Leave Diggnation.

Send in your stories to geeknews@gmail.com and be sure to provide a link to your websites!


GNC-2007-09-11 #301



This is a monster show with a huge number of listener comments that I had to get caught up. This show is packed end to end with good info.

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Listener Links:
Go Green
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WallPaper Site
iPhone Racks Up Charges When OFF!
DSL Nightmare
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Time Travel
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Show Notes:
Firefox 400 Million downloads
Apple looking at 700mhz Auction
RIAA gets smacked by Judge on Boilerplate Lawsuits
iPhone Unlock Video
TechShop is totally Awesome!
Apple Cripples iPod Touch Calendar
Solar Powered Plane
iTunes 7.4.1 and RingTone Battles
$7000.00 Rebate for Apple Lisa Users :)
Windows Live Writer Review
Mahalo getting a lot of scrutiny
Banner Ad Trojans!
Search for Lost via Google Earth
AdBlock Plus Commentary
RIAA Facing first Jury Trial!
Cannon Hack to give RAW Images to most Cannon Cameras
Europe SeedCamp WInners
Adobe Online Image Editor Review
UAV Google Earth and Software equals cool things
ISP’s Ignoring Hacked Computers
Skype Worm
Mars Rovers on Move!
Technorati River of News
Thanks Michael