Yahoo thwarts web mail cyber attack
Internet giant claims to have prevented hackers from gaining access to users' Yahoo Mail accounts.

Yahoo claims to have thwarted a bid by hackers to gain unauthorised access to its users' email accounts.
The internet giant said in a blog post the list of user usernames and passwords needed to carry out the attack is likely to have been obtained from an attack on a third-party database.
"We have no evidence that they were obtained directly from Yahoo's systems," wrote Jay Rossiter, senior vice president of platforms and personalisation products at Yahoo.
The usernames and passwords were then used by "malicious software" to access people's accounts, according to Yahoo.
"The information sought in the attack seems to be names and email addresses from the affected accounts' most recent sent emails," the post continued.
The company said, upon discovering the attack, it took immediate action to protect affected users by sending out password reset prompts.
"We are resetting passwords on impacted accounts and we are using second sign-in verification to allow users to re-secure their accounts," the company said.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
"Impacted users will be prompted (if not, already) to change their password and may receive an email notification or an SMS text if they have added a mobile number to their account."
Furthermore, Yahoo said it is working with law enforcers to bring the people responsible for the attack to justice. It also moved to assure users that additional measures have been put in place to prevent further attacks on its systems.
"We regret this has happened and want to assure our users that we take the security of their data very seriously," the blog post concluded.
-
The worst hacks of all time
In-depth Yahoo, LinkedIn, Facebook, here is a quick guide to some of the biggest data breaches in history
By Rene Millman
-
Yahoo handed £250,000 fine over 2014 data breach
News ICO punishes Yahoo's UK arm for failing to protect 515,000 Brits
By Adam Shepherd
-
Canadian pleads guilty to Yahoo hack
News Karim Baratov was paid by Russian security agents to break into Yahoo accounts in 2014
By Dale Walker
-
Russia denies it's responsible for Yahoo hack
News The Kremlin said there's "absolutely no question of any official involvement by any Russian agency"
By Clare Hopping
-
Verizon knocks $350m off Yahoo deal
News Yahoo will also need to pay half of any liabilities incurred as a result of massive data breach
By Clare Hopping
-
Yahoo email scandal could derail Safe Harbour replacement
News Reports of mass email surveillance prompt fears of rights infringements
By Jane McCallion
-
Individual sues Yahoo over data breach
News New York man has accused Yahoo of gross negligence
By Clare Hopping
-
Yahoo hack: what your business needs to know - and why you shouldn't panic
Analysis The Yahoo hack is frightening, but the worst of the attacks are likely already over
By Nicole Kobie