Sensitive information including Social Security numbers and credit reports of the First Lady, Vice President and numerous Hollywood A-listers have been hacked and posted on to a website, authorities revealed.
The bombshell security breach on Monday has left LAPD and the FBI struggling with how to respond - after the leaders of both agencies were also targeted.
FBI Director Robert Mueller and LAPD boss Charlie Beck weren't alone. Michelle Obama, VP Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had their addresses and other sensitive information posted online.
Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Kim Kardashian were also exposed by the site - although it is unclear how the information was obtained or why these individuals were selected.
Social Security numbers allegedly belonging to Mel Gibson, Jay-Z and 15 others matched records in public databases.
Ashton Kutcher, Paris Hilton, Donald Trump and Attorney-General Eric Holder also had their personal details made public in the mass dump of 'secret files'.
There has so far been little comment from representatives of the public figures targeted in the cyber attacks as to the accuracy of the information revealed.
The site, which bore an internet suffix originating in the Soviet Union, remained active on Tuesday and bears a quote from the TV show Dexter as the tagline: 'If you believe that God makes miracles, you have to wonder if Satan has a few up his sleeve.'
It appears as if the site is continuing to reveal the details of yet more famous people today. The names of Sarah Palin, Hulk Hogan and Arnold Schwarzenegger were added to the list on Tuesday.
It is also linked to a Twitter account @exposedsu which has text written in Russian in just two tweets posted since Monday.
.su was a domain used by the Soviet Union for 14 months between 1990 and 1991. It is popular with cyber-criminals carrying out online attacks.
Several of the purported credit reports appear to have been generated last week. Many of the pages featured unflattering pictures of the celebrities or government officials whose information was posted.
Michelle Obama's on the other hand is largely positive featuring an 'I Love Michelle' sign and the message: 'Blame your husband, we still love you, Michelle. <3>3>
The existence of the hacker's website was first reported on Monday by TMZ. The site reported that both the LAPD and the FBI are investigating the hack.
The site's page on LAPD chief Charlie Beck includes a taunting reference to former police officer Christopher Dorner, who was killed in a shootout after killing four people over several days last month.The existence of the hacker's website was first reported on Monday by TMZ. The site reported that both the LAPD and the FBI are investigating the hack.
Beck reopened Dorner's case and ordered a review of the LAPD disciplinary system after the black ex-cop's online manifesto accused the department of racism and bias in his firing and vowed to get even with officers and their families
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