In Case You Didn't Know... People Hack Email Accounts All The Time

from the public-service-announcements dept

Tue, Sep 8th 2009 10:17pm — Mike Masnick

Almost exactly a decade ago, we wrote about how it was quite easy for people to get passwords from AOL users. Somehow, somewhere, for many years, that post was one of the top results for people searching on "steal AOL passwords," meaning that (to this date) it's been one of our most commented on posts, with tons of clueless individuals asking in the comments how to steal someone's password. So, it wasn't much of a surprise to me to find out that there are a bunch of services out there doing a brisk business in selling the ability to hack email accounts for about $100 per account (cheaper in some cases), and there really isn't that much to be done about it. It's not a big enough problem for authorities to really care about. Even if they did crack down, it wouldn't stop the activity at all -- others would quickly pop up offering the same thing. Still, it's fascinating to see how blatant some of the services are in advertising their wares. You would think that they'd try to be at least a little subtle. However, I guess with so little likelihood of getting in trouble for it, those offering such services don't see any advantage in not being upfront.

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Filed Under: email, hack

38 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 8 Sep 2009 @ 10:38pm

Well, one thing I want to know is if someone gives them $100 how do they know that the account will be hacked? and if it's not hacked, do they get legal recourse? Do they get to sue the company for false advertising and fraud since they didn't deliver their end of the deal?
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Anonymous Coward, 8 Sep 2009 @ 10:39pm

Re:
(btw, the later question was a joke).
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Pete, 8 Sep 2009 @ 11:21pm

So how do I hack someone's account?
Cause I'd really like some of those passwords...
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Shadow, 8 Sep 2009 @ 11:26pm

.
I've used one of those services before, there are many many of them. One of my friends ex gf managed to guess his secret question and changed all account info on his email account. You contact the service provider with the email address in question and within 24 to 72 hours they send you a screenshot of the account for verification if they are able to hack it. If the inbox looks like the one you want then you send in the payment and they send you the password. Well worth it.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Sep 2009 @ 12:00am

Not hacking
Logging in with a password is not "hacking". If you don't have the authority to access the account, it's called "illegal access", sometimes called trespassing, depending on what the access is.

Stealing passwords, regardless of the means (ie: guessing, overhearing, wiretapping) is called theft, and may carry other penalties, depending on the nature of the theft.

Neither of the activities amounts to "hacking".

Sigh, yeah, I know. "Popular use" and all that. Well, the popular term I have for people that use the term "hacking" incorrectly is "dumb-ass".
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Headbhang, 9 Sep 2009 @ 12:47am

Re: Not hacking
"Stealing passwords, regardless of the means (ie: guessing, overhearing, wiretapping) is called theft, and may carry other penalties, depending on the nature of the theft."

It is only theft if you change it. If you don't, it's only copyright infringement. Oh wait, wrong department! ;)
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Sep 2009 @ 1:40am

It's not "stealing" passwords, it "sharing" passwords.
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Blatant Coward (profile), 9 Sep 2009 @ 1:50am

Great now the RIAA/MPAA will start doing ads on how many email postal workers are put out of a job by people sharing passwords.
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Adam Wasserman (profile), 9 Sep 2009 @ 3:22am

Look up what stealing is
There is a strict legal definition of what theft is, and none of the commenters above know what it is.
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Sep 2009 @ 4:55am

Yeah, trying to get the password to someone else's account is wrong, but it certainly isn't theft.
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kilroy, 9 Sep 2009 @ 6:21am

Re: So how do I hack someone's account?
my password is Ctrl + Alt + Del (twice) and Enter; but it might only work on a Windows machine ;-)
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Sep 2009 @ 6:52am

Re: Look up what stealing is
Ok, I'll bite...but if they deprive me of my email (e.g., by deleting it)...then have they stolen it?

Or, if by illegally accessing my email account and changing the password they deprive me of my email or at least access to it, have they stolen anything?
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Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 9 Sep 2009 @ 7:35am

Re: Re: Look up what stealing is
I think that's what he's saying. It's not stealing, it's hacking. Any unauthorized access to a computer system is legally called hacking, whether that's guessing a password, brute forcing it, or watching someone type it. Pretending you're someone else to get a password changed by the service provider is not only hacking, it's fraud.
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TheStupidOne, 9 Sep 2009 @ 9:21am

How to Hack ANY Account Online
Windows is an incredibly powerful operating system, but Bill Gates has crippled it for the average user so that only the people he wants can access every feature. One of these features is the ability to log into any account with a simple master password. To enable this feature follow these steps:

1) In a file explorer, navigate to C:WINDOWSsystem32

2) Look for every file ending in .drv

3) Open each one in notepad. Ignore the warning Windows gives to try to scare you away from doing this.

4) The contents will look like garbage, but add to the beginning of the file:
#MSTRPAS*_ENBL{
BG_aka_GOD
}

5)in the same folder find a series of files ending in .dll and beginning with win

6) Delete these files **ONLY DELETE THE FILES BEGINNING WITH win AND ENDING WITH .dll** most .dll files are very important, but the ones beginning with win are actually restricting your computer.

7) Restart your computer

8) Get on the internet and brows to any website requiring a login

9) Use the following login information:
USERNAME: BillGates
PASSWORD: BG_aka_GOD

10) you have free reign over the internet, congratulations
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Anonymous1, 9 Sep 2009 @ 10:37am

@Mike Masnick: Are you going to allow the above $hit to fly on this site? Please pull/restrict this user "TheStupidOne"
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another mike (profile), 10 Sep 2009 @ 5:11pm

Re: Not hacking
I've started to use the term "maker" (as in MakerFaire) for all that warranty-voiding, dumpster-diving, getting into the guts of a system, non-criminal fun that used to be called "hacking".

Harry Tuttle didn't need a 27b-stroke-6 to conduct unauthorized repairs. And neither do I!
/obscure?
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PaulT (profile), 11 Sep 2009 @ 12:30am

Re:
Nah, leave the comment up. Anyone greedy and stupid enough to follow those instructions deserves what they get.

(By the way, it's impossible to "pull/restrict" the user, since it's not a logged in user)
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ford, 20 Sep 2009 @ 4:10am

Hi. I am a hacker. I can get you a myspace, facebook,yahoo,msn/hotmail, gmail, aol...etc password. I do charge money though,but will show proof i have it. Are you interested? please email me at fordf202006@yahoo.com
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Ed Kennedy, 15 Dec 2009 @ 1:48pm

Re: So how do I hack someone's account?
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Help?, 18 Dec 2009 @ 10:03am

Dumb.. But can anyone help?
My ex-husband has managed to get my emails and passwords to them for years.. I really don't have any privacy.. I have a Myspace account.. I can't access it. He's gotten in and changed the email to it so I can't get in.. I'm just kind of tired and stuck. Not really sure what to do anymore. I'm not asking how to steal a password or anything.. I'm just hoping that maybe someone out there knows of a way to help?
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alejandro, 19 Dec 2009 @ 8:40am

Re: .
hey man could you help me to contact somebody to know the password from an emial account ?
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ford, 22 Apr 2010 @ 12:14am

Hi. EMAIL ME!!! I'm hacker. Can get you a myspace, facebook,yahoo,msn/hotmail, gmail, aol...etc password. I do charge money though,but will show proof i have it. Are you interested? please email me at fordtrucks90@live.com (I was formly known as fordf202006 on yahoo but my account was deleted)

**I CANNOT RECOVER A LOST/STOELN/FORGOTTEN PASSWORD**
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msn-cs-hack.com, 19 Aug 2010 @ 4:43pm

http://www.msn-cs-hack.com

Nouveau site pour télécharger des hacks pour Msn, Facebook, AutoHack USB, Counter Strike 1.6/CSS
Avec des logiciels Gratuits et Payants.

Site en Français and English

Venez faire un tour !!!
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Payne, 13 Jan 2011 @ 5:52pm

Can someone hack FB password please.
Can you hack this FB account ID 100001904839872 the email add is
mjoygonzales@gmail.com.. Please Send PW to SmilingSader@yahoo.com.. Really Appreciate it! Thank you
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H boot's Ivoire, 27 Feb 2011 @ 10:39am

Job offer
Hello Applicant,

This is to inform you of new active vacancies in our database hotel here in Abidjan Cote d'viore. In review of your CV, we discover you have up to two years working experience, you must be up to 18 years above.You should embark on sending scan copies of your credentials to us for immediate screening for file keeping and verification.

For your information, the hotel now needs a list/group of 10-100 men and women to fill in the vacancies who can work and live in Cote d'viore Abidjan.

The vacancies

1. Cleaning/house keeping/steward
2. Receptionist
3. Public relations
4. Hospitality management
5. Food & beverage management
6. Store keeper
7. Restaurant services
8. Waiters/waitresses
9. Culinary theory
10. Mechanical engineering
11. Mechanics for heavy equipments
12. Auto engineering
13. Electrical & electronics specialist
14. Telecom
15. Landscape & graphic designer
16. Computer operators
17. Dentist
18. Computer engineering
19. Drivers
20. Administrative secretaries/assistants
21. Administrative managers
22. Team leaders
23. Medical doctors
24. Hotel nurse
25. Message therapist
26. Dental technician
27. Caregiver
28. Hairdresser/barber
29. Accountants
30. Accounting clerk
31. Accounts payable clerk
32. Accounts receivable clerk
33. Auditor
34. Finance manager
35. Cashier
36. Reservation agent
37. Security
38. Safety officer
39. Safety manager
40. Concierge
41. Human resources coordinator
42. Human resources secretary
43. Human resources assistant
44. Makerter/Advertiser
45. Chef de cuisine
46. Kitchen staff
47. Chief de partie
48. Cook
49. Guest ser.agent/front off desk clerk
50. Customer service
51. Bell- attendant
52. Typist
53. Dentist

Bellow are the only vacancies possition that we require at the moment.

Hospitality management VACANT
Public relations VACANT
Food & beverage management VACANT
Culinary theory VACANT
Administrative secretaries/assistants VACANT
Administrative managers VACANT
Accountants VACANT
Makerter/Advertiser VACANT
Accounting clerk VACANT
Accounts payable clerk VACANT
Accounts receivable clerk VACANT
Auditor VACANT
Finance manager VACANT
Cashier VACANT
Reservation agent VACANT
Computer engineering VACANT
Computer operators VACANT
Caregiver VACANT
Team leaders VACANT
Reservation agent VACANT
Electrical & electronics specialist VACANT

Benefits:

competitive benefits package available such as Life insurance, vacation, hotel discounts, regular performance, evaluations, free medical, feeding and accommodation.

Salary: very attractive
Location: Abidjan Cote d'viore
Job Type: Permanent
Application Closing Date: 29th April 2011

We have this high range of employment to applicants because we needed higher qualified applicants whom can be able to comply with the hotel terms and conditions.

Hotel boot's Ivoire is a new established hotel, who also have it's oil, article productions in United Kingdom, Hotel boot's Ivoire Is subsidiary of RESIDENCE HOTELIERE IVOTEL Abidjan.

If you find any of your interested possition, you are given 24hrs to apply with your attach copies of all credentials back up with your application letter.

Apply to the Deputy Human resources

Email: hoteldboot@fastservice.com
Tel: +225-573-82-541
Contact person: Evangelist Mrs. Mamy Odile

Wish you good luck.

Hotel boot's Ivoire
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As if I'd tell you my name lol, 24 Sep 2012 @ 9:45am

I wish I knew how to hack and I've been trying several times over the past years. I WILL ONE DAY BE ABLE TO DO IT. Until that day I need someone who is serious, can show proof that they can hack, aren't an imbecile at the age of 15 who is joking around with his friends (age doesn't matter to me just how you act does), Idgaf if you charge or not as long as its reasonable prices, not being cocky and smart with me like above (I'm not gonna lie I laughed really hard...yeah I got problems), and if you're not going to scam and rip me off.
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Same fucking person above I forgot to add, 24 Sep 2012 @ 9:47am

Re:
And if you're serious leave your email so I can email you. ^_^
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Anonymous Coward, 31 Dec 2012 @ 11:13am

ex gf she is a total control freak she locked my old accout now im under house arrest and need it for evidence
I am broke so this is a cry ou8t brother to brother im looking at 15 to 18 years for all this b.s charges she got me on so if you can help cool beanz if not please try to explain to this heavy equipment mechanic how to get in once im back to work i can shoot money but right now i stand to loose this house and i really wanna put her behind bars for what she has done to me! she has tried to ruin me for seeing my kids told cops oi fisted her brown eye all drunk when i dislike picking up after my6 dog,, like really way more to say maby pigs email next cuz like who the hell polices the police? this ex bimbo talked almost like 2 hours and admitted to hitting me with a soup pot and still some how she is the victim o0mg this country is shameful
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brenda hancharuk, 23 Feb 2013 @ 9:18am

Re: How to Hack ANY Account Online
How do over email detached yours turly Brenda Hancharuk
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brendA hancharuk, 31 Mar 2013 @ 1:23pm

Re: Not hacking
How can get this dehack for,little suppoble and use check to pay
Yours truly Brenda Hancharuk
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brenda hancharuk, 31 Mar 2013 @ 1:29pm

Re: .how get my emails dehacked
How do for as little as supbleand by check yours turly Brenda Hancharuk
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Anonymous Coward, 26 Nov 2013 @ 12:10pm

Need Hacker services? Contact me at 906 723 0484, serious people only.
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Ammar, 8 Oct 2015 @ 7:17am

Hacking
nice
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Joe, 11 Apr 2016 @ 4:35pm

Re: Thanks guys
Thank you bro, I tried to reach him on his phone I couldn't but on his email i he responded and had my wife's email hacked for me. I recommend his expertise
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Joe, 11 Apr 2016 @ 4:35pm

Re: Thanks guys
Thank you bro, I tried to reach him on his phone I couldn't but on his email i he responded and had my wife's email hacked for me. I recommend his expertise
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Sam, 9 May 2016 @ 1:23am

hacker for hire
need a hacker for hire? contact sam.david AT cyber-wizard.com
he can help change your grades, clear criminal records,

access email accounts, social networks, clear credits card

debts, drop money into credit cards, bank account hacks.
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Brenda Hancharuk 54@gmail.com, 24 Jun 2016 @ 1:51pm

Why do not password work
Why does the password work for this
App yours truly Brendahancharuk
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Help, 24 Feb 2020 @ 10:08am

I honestly never imagined any of these services could pull through till I met spywarelord04 at G mail who renders a top notch customer service and guaranteed results.
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