of the Canva data breach on the Dark Web reminds us that our digital lives can sometimes feel like a game of hide and seek with hackers. So grab your virtual smoke detectors and let’s clean up our online acts before the next unwanted guest arrives!

October 18, 2024
Network Security

In our digital world, data breaches are like that unwanted party crasher who shows up uninvited and leaves everyone uneasy. Unfortunately, they affect millions of people online.

One of the biggest party fouls in recent memory occurred on Canva.com, a beloved graphic design platform, in 2019. Although this breach happened a few years ago, the compromised data recently reappeared on the Dark Web, causing people to do that awkward “erase your online presence” dance once again!

The Canva data breach was like a really bad magic trick—it happened on May 25, 2019, and poof! Approximately 139 million users found their user info floating around uninvited. While no plain text passwords emerged from the smoke and mirrors, other sensitive data was up for grabs by those with bad intentions. With the return of this data to the Dark Web, users are now being nudged to take their online security a bit more seriously.

The breach was masterminded by a hacker going by the name of GnosticPlayers—no relation to the Gnostic teachings, which are similarly confusing and dangerous. This individual has been linked to several other high-profile breaches. The baddies got their hands on usernames, real names, email addresses, and the sought-after city and country information. For about 61 million users, password hashes were also compromised. Thankfully, these passwords were hashed using the bcrypt algorithm, a strong fort that stands tall against those pesky attackers!

On the bright side, no credit card or financial skeletons were discovered in this closet; however, users who registered via Google found themselves with their Google tokens mingling in the wild.

Canva promptly donned their superhero capes, secured their systems, and alerted the affected users to the breach. They even teamed up with law enforcement to investigate the incident—three cheers for collaboration! Users were advised to change their passwords, especially if they had a habit of reusing them across platforms. I mean, sharing is caring, but maybe not when it comes to passwords!

This Canva breach serves as a wake-up call to tighten those digital security belts. To help you surf the web more securely, here are five best practices that’ll make you feel like a cybersecurity ninja:

  1. Update Reused Passwords: Even though plain text passwords didn’t join the breach party, it’s still wise to update any reused passwords across platforms post-breach. Think of this as spring cleaning for your digital life—no dust bunnies allowed!
  2. Monitor Business Accounts: If you’re using Canva for business, worry not! KPInterface is like your digital watchdog, closely monitoring accounts for any signs of trouble. If we detect any issues, we’ll pop in with specific instructions (cue the superhero music).
  3. Review Personal Accounts: For personal Canva accounts or other platforms where you may have used the same credentials, reviewing your security settings and updating passwords is the way to go. Consider it a cozy audit for your online life.
  4. Use a Password Manager: A password manager is like having a personal assistant for your passwords. It helps create and store unique passwords while making it easier to juggle them—because who has the memory of an elephant, right?
  5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, enable 2FA on your accounts. It’s like installing a double lock on your front door; the more barriers to entry, the better!

These tips are just a few of the best practices that help shield all your accounts from unwanted visitors. Keep an eye on the latest security alerts from trusted sources. Being proactive about your online safety will help keep the digital riffraff at bay!

The recent reemergence

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