Users of adult-themed website fear data breach

Users of adult-themed website fear data breach

DENVER - Users of a popular website that helps married people facilitate affairs has been hacked.The website Ashley Madison claims to have more than 37 million users. A company official sayspersonal information of some of its users was posted online.

Toronto-based Avid Life Media Inc. says it has had the hackers' posts, which included personalinformation, taken down and has hired a technology security firm.

The company and law enforcement are investigating.

"If exposing your personal data is going to result in a major headline, then you should probably beworried," said Monument based cyber security expert Charles Tendell. "If you're an average guy,probably not so much. You might see an increase in your spam," he said.

Whether you're looking for a date on Ashley Madison or shopping for clothing on Amazon, Tendellrecommends you download a tool called a BLUR. It can protect passwords and card numbers.

"So if somebody does compromise the website you're using, they're going to get the masked identityand they're not going to be able to trace it back to you, he said.

"The internet never forgets, and it will come back to haunt you one day. If it's something youwouldn't share with your grandmother, don't put it on line."

The Associated Press contributed to this report

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/website-that-helps-faciliate-affairs-has-been-hacked-users-fear-their-identities-will-become-public