The well-known subtitle resource OpenSubtitles.org has reportedly fallen victim to a ransom attack. It appears the site was hacked.
The popular website had login credentials stolen from its database. TorrentFreak first reported that over 7 million subscribers were impacted.
OpenSubtitles shared a blog post detailing the incident. They stated that a hacker contacted them back in August of 2021 with evidence of a security breach.
The hacker sent us a message on Telegram in August 2021. He had gained access to the user table of opensubtitles.org and downloaded a SQL dump from it, which he showed us as proof.
He demanded a BTC ransom to keep this information private. He also promised to delete the data in exchange for the payment.
According to the post, the hacker explained his method of accessing the stored files. He even offered assistance in fixing the vulnerability.
However, he ultimately broke his promise. The hacker went ahead and leaked the data from OpenSubtitles in January of 2022.
You can read the complete statement from the site administrator through the link provided below.
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Popular websites getting hacked is, unfortunately, a recurring event, and we can expect more in the future.
Hackers generally operate by demanding payment. They typically provide proof of a data breach to pressure site operators into paying them.
OpenSubtitles is primarily a free service enjoyed by millions. However, it does offer the option of registering for an account for added features.
It’s likely that you will need to update your profile if you have a registered OpenSubtitles account. This is a precautionary measure to ensure your account’s security.
IMPORTANT NOTE: TROYPOINT suggests avoiding the creation of an OpenSubtitles account. The service functions seamlessly without the need for registration.
You can access detailed instructions on integrating OpenSubtitles into your Streaming App or Kodi Addon. Our guide below will teach you how to achieve this without needing to sign up.
How to Use OpenSubtitles on Popular Apps & APKs
Update Your OpenSubtitles Account
The blog post published by OpenSubtitles provides some important advice. They emphasize the importance of updating your profile if you have an existing account.
The hacker was able to access many accounts easily. This is because a significant number of users relied on weak passwords.
OpenSubtitles offered the following steps for users who may have been affected:
- We strongly recommend changing your password for opensubtitles.org, opensubtitles.com, and the forum.
- If you’ve reused your opensubtitles.org password on other platforms, make sure to change those as well. This is particularly crucial for email accounts and services handling payments or storing your personal information.
TROYPOINT suggests taking extra precautions to safeguard your information. When registering for online services or memberships, consider using a fake or anonymous email account.
Combining this practice with a reliable VPN offers the best protection for your data and online privacy. It creates a secure barrier between you and potential threats while you browse the internet.
This security measure is also crucial when using streaming devices. This includes popular platforms like Firestick, Fire TV, and Android devices.
Best VPN for Firestick/Android
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