Ashley Madison hackers threaten to publish infidelity site's clients, unnerving Hong Kong philanderers
A pro-cheating website which launched with much fanfare in Hong Kong in 2013 has had its database hacked and customer information leaked.
A website that boasts of helping people set up illicit affairs - launched in Hong Kong with much fanfare in 2013 - has had its database hacked and customer information leaked.
The Ashley Madison site, whose slogan is "Life is short. Have an affair", operates in 30 places around the world with more than 37 million customers. It was hacked by a group calling itself the Impact Team, which also targeted two other dating sites, Cougar Life and Established Men, which are owned by the site's parent, Avid Life Media.
The hackers posted a small sample of sensitive data stolen from the sites accompanied by a statement demanding the closure of Ashley Madison.
UPDATE: Ashley Madison revokes controversial data-wipe fee after hack attack, claims it's the victim
"Avid Life Media has been instructed to take Ashley Madison and Established Men offline permanently in all forms, or we will release all customer records, including profiles with all the customers' secret sexual fantasies and matching credit card transactions, real names and addresses, and employee documents and emails. The other websites may stay online," the group said in a statement.
Biderman said that the attack was likely the work of an insider and the company was close to identifying the culprit.