Hackers loot user data on Avast forum

The forum of Avast, a company that develops antivirus software, has been taken offline after unknown persons managed to crack the forum. User data was also stolen. The company may have been using outdated forum software.

Avast reports that the attackers stole usernames, aliases, email addresses and hashed passwords over the weekend. No financial data was allegedly stolen. Although the passwords were encrypted, it is not impossible for hackers to decrypt them. Avast therefore advises forum users to change passwords if they are also used on other websites.

In total, the data of approximately 400,000 people are said to have been stolen. It is still unclear how hackers managed to crack the Avast forum. It may be outdated forum software. Avast has indicated that it is moving to a “different software platform” that would be more secure and faster. Only when this step has been taken will the forum be opened again. The antivirus software manufacturer also states that this is an isolated incident and the company apologizes.