Client Account Incident: Our Prompt Response and the Key Takeaways
At Social Links, we are dedicated to data security. Drawing from a wealth of expertise, we apply the most thoroughgoing measures to rigorously protect our infrastructure, which hasn’t once been compromised in the whole decade since the company was founded. And recently, an incident occurred that proved the efficacy of our security analytics and response procedures.
Last week, our security system identified that a single client account of SL Crimewall had been compromised. Following an immediate investigation, we established that the compromise stemmed from a system breach on the side of one of our clients, and promptly took the necessary action to secure the account in question.
While this incident did not involve any compromise to the Social Links infrastructure, we want to give an account of it to quell any potential concerns from our clients.
What Happened and How Did We Respond?
At 1am CET on January 21, a new listing for access to an account of SL Crimewall appeared on the darknet platform BreachForums, where leaks, accounts, and other hacked and stolen items are put up for sale.
Thanks to our warning systems, we became aware of the post just a few hours after it appeared, and launched an immediate investigation. Following this, we promptly pinpointed the affected account, took immediate action to reset all credentials relating to account access, and informed the client.
Our actions fully secured the account in question, preventing any further unauthorized access. The issue was thereby contained and eliminated the same day it emerged. Furthermore, we ascertained that the breach had originated through the system of the affected customer, and have been providing guidance to ensure the security of their account and devices moving forward.
To recap, shortly after the emergence of the issue, we had:
- Isolated the account in question
- Safeguarded it against further exploitation
- Identified the system at the root of the breach
- Advised the affected party on broader security procedures
Note: this incident did NOT occur due to any lapse in the security of the Social Links infrastructure, which remains totally uncompromised and intact.
Key Takeaways
With the threat landscape continually evolving with ever more devious approaches to system infiltration, we take extensive precautions to safeguard our entire infrastructure. However, we cannot extend our control to the proprietary systems of our customers—we can only remind everyone of the need for wide-ranging measures and continual vigilance.
Another point is that this incident illustrates the remarkable value OSINT holds for data security. With advanced methods for monitoring the internet across the Surface, Deep, and Dark Web, OSINT tools such as SL Crimewall can ensure that, should an incident occur, you know about it at once and can act decisively.
At the same time, strengthening security should not just be considered the purview of specialist teams, but of everyone. Essential actions for maintaining strong infosecurity include:
- Checking for Malware. Scan all devices from which your account has been accessed, to ensure they are free from malware or malicious software.
- Updating Passwords. If you have used the same password for other accounts, we advise updating those as well to prevent potential security risks.
- Reviewing Recent Activity. Check your account activity and immediately report anything suspicious to our support team.
- Being Very Wary of Phishing Attempts. Don’t click on unexpected links or provide personal information in emails, even if they appear legitimate.
To reiterate, maintaining effective data security is a complex, perennial challenge that requires cooperation across various disciplines and sectors. And Social Links remains as dedicated as ever to facilitating cooperation and harnessing data to make the world a safer place.
