1.5m stolen Facebook accounts up for sale on the black market

LONDON - A sale of 1.5 million stolen Facebook accounts on the black market by a hacker has created panic amongst users.

Researchers at VeriSign iDefense Labs, an internet security firm, said that they had found stolen login details for the world’s most popular social networking site on sale for as little as $25 for 1,000 on a Russian website Carder.su.

According to the firm, the hacker called ‘kirllos’ was offering login information for bundles of 1,000 accounts with 10 or fewer friends on sale for just $25 (#16) and with more than 10, for $45 (#30).

Facebook however, has rubbished the claims, saying that ‘kirllos’ was known for making wild claims.

According to the Sun, company spokesman Barry Schnitt said Facebook had tried to buy details from kirllos during its own investigation but that “the hacker was unable to produce anything for our buyer”.

Hackers use software that logs computer keystrokes or ‘phishing’ techniques that trick users into giving out their passwords, personal information like birth dates, addresses and phone numbers.

The accounts can then be hijacked to send spam and malicious programs or to commit identity frauds.

Users concerned about their account privacy can report the matter through the Help Centre. (ANI)