[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f6xocz4w69n1g":3},{"success":4,"breach":5},true,{"_id":6,"name":7,"title":8,"slug":9,"domain":10,"breachDate":11,"addedDate":12,"modifiedDate":13,"contentUpdatedAt":14,"source":15,"sourceUrl":16,"sourceUrls":17,"pwnCount":18,"affectedCount":18,"affectedCountStatus":19,"affectedCountLowerBound":20,"affectedCountUnit":21,"hasEnglishDescription":4,"severity":22,"dataClasses":23,"description":28,"seoTitle":29,"seoTitleEn":30,"seoDescription":29,"seoDescriptionEn":31,"logoUrl":32,"isVerified":4,"isSensitive":4,"isSpamList":33,"isMalware":33,"company":34},"68e3266eda11adda48825160","cracking-forum","CrackingForum Data Breach","crackingforum","crackingforum.com","2016-07-01T00:00:00.000Z","2017-12-10T20:08:30.000Z","2026-07-02T12:26:55.059Z","2026-07-18T23:48:17.532Z","Third party breach","https:\u002F\u002Fbreaches.sencode.co.uk\u002Fbreaches\u002Fcrackingforum",[16],660305,"known",null,"unknown","High",[24,25,26,27],"Email addresses","IP addresses","Passwords","Usernames","\u003Cp>The CrackingForum data breach is related to a security incident that occurred around mid-2016 on the vBulletin-based forum focused on cracks and similar technical sharing. The number of affected accounts verified for this record is 660,305. The verified data classes are email addresses, IP addresses, usernames, and password hashes stored in salted MD5 format. Due to the forum context, the incident requires attention not only in terms of password security but also in terms of membership context and user reputation risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When usernames, email addresses, and IP addresses used in communities like CrackingForum are combined, it is possible to associate them with the same person's accounts on other platforms. Finding passwords in the form of salted MD5 hashes does not mean they are directly readable; however, MD5 is a fast hashing method considered weak by modern standards. Therefore, weak or reused passwords may become guessable or breakable over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Leaking Data Types and Risks\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The verified data types are email address, IP address, username, and password hash. An email address can be used to cross-reference with the user's other online accounts. A username, especially if it is repeated on different forums or gaming communities, can lead to finding the user's other profiles. The IP address can provide clues about approximate location, internet service provider, and session context.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is an important technical detail that password hashes are in salted MD5 format. The use of salt makes it harder for identical passwords to produce exactly the same hash value; however, since MD5 operates quickly, attackers can try extensive password lists. Therefore, users should not rely on the 'there was a hash, no problem' approach. If the password was also used on other services, this record poses a serious risk in terms of account takeover and automated login attempts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Verified Scope and Boundaries\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>This record covers 660,305 affected accounts and the incident date is recorded as July 1, 2016. The verified data fields are email addresses, IP addresses, usernames, and salted MD5 password hashes. The record belongs to a vBulletin-based forum incident. The password field here should be treated as password data in hash form, not as a readable password value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This record does not contain special message content, date of birth, phone number, physical address, payment card, bank account, or official ID number as verified data. Due to the topic of the forum, even a username and email address alone may carry sensitive context; however, the verified technical scope is limited to these four data classes. This distinction is important to accurately convey the real account security risk to the user without causing unnecessary panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>User Groups at Risk\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Users at the highest risk are those who use the password from their CrackingForum account on other forums, games, email, social media, or shopping accounts as well. If the same username has been used on different platforms, attackers may try to make connections between profiles. When the email and username are found together, fake forum notifications, account verification, password reset, or private invitation messages may appear more convincing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An IP address leak does not reveal the user's exact physical address; however, it can enhance targeted social engineering messages with approximate regional and provider information. Due to the forum context, the exposure of membership may also pose a reputation or trust relationship risk for some users. This risk is higher for individuals registered with a work email, as forum membership can create a context that may be misinterpreted by an employer or corporate environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Urgent Measures to Be Taken\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The user whose match appears in this record should change the password used on their CrackingForum account and all accounts where the same or a similar password is used. New passwords should be unique, long, and difficult to guess. The email account should be secured as a priority, multi-factor authentication should be enabled, and recent sessions should be checked. Continuing to use the old password with minor changes on other accounts is also risky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attention should be paid to unexpected messages themed around forums or security communities. Links received under the pretext of account recovery, invitation, private database access, penalty removal, file download, or security verification should be checked before being opened. A person sending a message who knows the username and previous forum context should not be considered trustworthy. Passwords, verification codes, email access, or account recovery information should not be shared with third parties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Long-Term Security Strategies\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The CrackingForum incident shows that old forum accounts can pose risks in terms of account security and reputation even years later. Users should make it a habit to use unique usernames and unique passwords for forum, game, and community accounts. A password manager makes it easier to track where old passwords have been used. Unused forum accounts should be closed or their email addresses and profile information should be minimized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the long term, users should avoid using the same username on every platform. Easy correlation between technical forums, gaming communities, social media, and professional profiles can create targeted phishing and reputation risks. Older leaks containing IP addresses can also contribute to more comprehensive profile inference when combined with other data sets. Therefore, old forum leaks should not be considered low priority and should be addressed with a password and profile differentiation strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Record Control and User Action\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>A match in this record indicates that the relevant email address is among the accounts seen in the CrackingForum data breach. A match does not mean that the user's current account has been actively compromised; however, it suggests that the combination of the old email, username, IP, and password hash may have circulated. If the password is reused, the risk is transferred to current accounts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The user should first change all accounts where the same password is used, enable additional verification on the email account, and check for suspicious sessions. If the same username is used on other platforms, it should be assumed that these profiles can be linked. Unexpected messages in a forum context should be verified through a separate channel, and the old password family should be completely abandoned. Even if this incident is from an earlier date, the combination of salted MD5 hashes with weak password choices can create a long-term account security risk.\u003C\u002Fp>","","CrackingForum Data Breach (660.3 Thousand Reported Records)","CrackingForum Data Breach. 660.3 Thousand reported records were reported. Reported data: Email addresses, IP addresses, Passwords. Review the scope, risks…","\u002Fuploads\u002Flogo\u002Fcrackingforum_com.webp",false,{"name":35,"sector":36,"country":29,"website":10,"websiteArchiveUrl":29,"websiteStatus":29,"websiteCheckedAt":20},"CrackingForum","Online forum"]