Yahoo Under SEC Investigation for Not Disclosing Massive Data Breach Sooner

[MacRumors]

Yahoo is under investigation from the Securities and Exchange Commission over its failure to disclose its massive data breaches sooner, according to The Wall Street Journal.

In September 2016, the internet company revealed that an unidentified hacker had stolen the personal data of "at least" 500 million users. Then last month, the internet company admitted that over one billion Yahoo user accounts had been compromised in a hack dating back to August 2013. Information stolen included names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, hashed passwords, security questions and answers.

According to today's report, the SEC is investigating why Yahoo waited years before disclosing the massive data breach, despite the fact that some staff had known about the incident since at least 2014. The SEC has requested documents from Yahoo relating to the hacks in order to decide whether the internet giant could have reported the breach to investors sooner.

Yahoo is currently negotiating a takeover bid by Verizon, who is reportedly seeking a $1 billion discount off an original $4.8 billion buyout agreement because of the hacking revelations. It's unclear what impact the SEC investigation will have on the deal, but Yahoo's share price had already fallen following the news.

Article Link: Yahoo Under SEC Investigation for Not Disclosing Massive Data Breach Sooner

 

[44267547]

Yahoo is really disappointing what happened these last few years and how their security deteriorated. Yahoo never used to be like this in the years past, now its a mine field loaded with click bait and garbage posts.

Whatever Yahoo has coming to them, they earned it.

 

[Wally4000]

I am lost for words how this fits into the Mac Blog!

 

[timmyh]

I am lost for words how this fits into the Mac Blog!

It was a mistake - I've moved it to front page.

 

[HappyDude20]

I am lost for words how this fits into the Mac Blog!

Remember when MR truly cared up until about 2013-ish?

I'm sure many MR users do. Now their site is riddled with ads.


As for Yahoo, an SEC investigation is certainly in order... but this has nothing to do w/ Mac or Apple.

 

[kahkityoong]

Only natural for crooks to be investigated.

 

[FightTheFuture]

As for Yahoo, an SEC investigation is certainly in order... but this has nothing to do w/ Mac or Apple.

Millions of Mac users likely use Yahoo services.

Only natural for crooks to be investigated.

What makes them crooks? Unethical, yes, but crooks? Was there a massive stock sell off in 2014?

 

[Tech198]

Perhaps Yahoo is thinking to get out the short end of the straw for this as the bid ?

 

[MRxROBOT]

Good! They need to be held accountable.

 

[maflynn]

Its about time, I was wondering how they were able to get away with sweeping it under the rug like they did.

 

[MacBH928]

Just how big is a file/folder of 500m accounts?

Anyway, Yahoo is dead. Not sure how they make money, Tumblr, Flickr, or their crap search engine.

 

[MrGuder]

Yahoo is gone..nothing to see here...move along...

 

[RightMACatU]

Its about time, I was wondering how they were able to get away with sweeping it under the rug like they did.

This delay is somewhat proportional to the time it took Yapoo to disclose the breach

 

[Naimfan]

Pretty soon Verizon will offer what Yahoo is actually worth: zero.

As for ads on MR: Adblock or similar.

 

[Foggydog]

Let's not be so hard on MacRumors for their adds. I know I personally haven't paid them for this site, and, there are often things I like that they advertise. Some I save for future reference to purchase.
Those that don't care for the adds, wou7you prefer being charged 9.99 monthly? Not being sarcastic, but I personally hate reoccurring payments.

Thank you MacRumors for your cool adds.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

Let's not be so hard on MacRumors for their adds. I know I personally haven't paid them for this site, and, there are often things I like that they advertise. Some I save for future reference to purchase.
Those that don't care for the adds, wou7you prefer being charged 9.99 monthly? Not being sarcastic, but I personally hate reoccurring payments.

Thank you MacRumors for your cool adds.

MacRumors has adds? DPS better kill them first then go back to attacking the boss.

 

[Ethosik]

Let's not be so hard on MacRumors for their adds. I know I personally haven't paid them for this site, and, there are often things I like that they advertise. Some I save for future reference to purchase.
Those that don't care for the adds, wou7you prefer being charged 9.99 monthly? Not being sarcastic, but I personally hate reoccurring payments.

Thank you MacRumors for your cool adds.

Needing an adblocker these days is just as important (or actually more important) as an anti-virus software installed. I have been to legitimate "trust worthy" websites that have ads, dealt with them, but have encountered infections due to the insecure-ness of ads on websites. I do not mind ads. But do not make me compromise my computer security.

 

[eicca]

Thanks to Yahoo's incompetence the identity of every member of my family was stolen.

 

[Borin]

Hopefully their change in leadership will actually improve things. I don't think we should cheer the death throes of any giant corporation; the next one could touch a lot closer to home.

Those that don't care for the adds, wou7you prefer being charged 9.99 monthly? Not being sarcastic, but I personally hate reoccurring payments.

Ads are awful on the web, but it isn't like MR aren't providing a way out of it.

 

[thespacekid]

Perhaps someone would investigate the theft of more detailed personal data for over 20 million Americans as a result of the US Gov OPM hack.

 

[Larry The L]

I'm sure many MR users do. Now their site is riddled with ads.

/QUOTE]
The ads are fine. It's the preponderance of useless posts by the haters of all things that make the site almost intolerable.

 

[Foggydog]

Needing an adblocker these days is just as important (or actually more important) as an anti-virus software installed. I have been to legitimate "trust worthy" websites that have ads, dealt with them, but have encountered infections due to the insecure-ness of ads on websites. I do not mind ads. But do not make me compromise my computer security.

You do make a good point. I am so used to never needing to worry about viruses, that I don't even think of that anymore.

 

[Zaft]

I stopped going to yahoo when all their news was the Kardashians.. Much happier now, dont miss them a bit.

 

[Foggydog]

Hopefully their change in leadership will actually improve things. I don't think we should cheer the death throes of any giant corporation; the next one could touch a lot closer to home.


Ads are awful on the web, but it isn't like MR aren't providing a way out of it.

Agreed. Some sites are so terrible that it's almost impossible to read what one is there for.

 

[nt5672]

Thanks to Yahoo's incompetence the identity of every member of my family was stolen.

Based on what we collectively know about the security of all on-line systems, I'm surprised that you blame only Yahoo for incompetence. I have used several Yahoo services and my data was also stolen (but not my identity), but fortunately I understand what data is safe to give others and what is not. ISTM that you and your family might have learned an important lesson and also share some of the blame.

I don't leave my wallet in a locked car because it might easily get stolen, even though the car should be secure enough to protect it, the police should be available to keep someone from breaking into my car, and the establishment where I park my car should have security cameras and policies to keep thieves out.

Common sense, I guess, is lacking when assaulted with all of the free gee wiz services marketed to the inexperienced. At the end of the day free has the value that you pay for it, nothing. Free means corners have to be cut. Free means that value judgements are sorely lacking. Free means that you are not the primary concern. A good lesson for us all to keep in mind.

Of course Yahoo should be held accountable and should get the maximum penalty, but people should really think about their own data and security, and take responsibility for their own protection.