Ah, the tangled web of government espionage and cybersecurity – it's like a digital spy novel unfolding in real-time. Governments worldwide have long relied on specialised firms to do their dirty work in the cyber realm, whether it's snooping on hostile countries, keeping tabs on journalists, or just poking around in the general public's digital knick-knacks. But what happens when these firms themselves become the target?

Picture this: a 14-year-old script kiddie, fuelled by energy drinks and teenage bravado, infiltrates a dodgy security company in Israel, snagging sophisticated hacking tools left and right. Or perhaps it's a more sinister group, lurking in the digital shadows, picking up intel from a security breach at the CIA – talk about a digital catch of the day. It's a precarious dance, a game of cat and mouse where the stakes couldn't be higher. Because let's face it, it's only a matter of time before someone with ill intentions gets their hands on something truly powerful, and suddenly we're looking at a teenager with a penchant for mayhem flipping switches on power grids.

And then there's doxing, that delightful pastime of unearthing someone's private info and tossing it into the digital wild. While some see it as a harmless prank, for others, it's a matter of life and death. But now, the game has taken a darker turn as hackers set their sights on uncovering the real IPs of hidden services lurking in the depths of the Tor network. These criminal marketplaces thought they were safe behind layers of encryption, but alas, no digital fortress is impenetrable. Just ask the marketplace that had its real IP leaked on a dark-web forum, prompting a hasty retreat into the digital shadows.

But wait, there's more! Even everyone's favourite end-to-end encrypted email provider isn't immune to scrutiny. Touting Swiss law and neutrality as their shield of protection, they failed to mention their rather cozy relationship with law enforcement. With nearly 6,000 data requests complied with in 2022 alone and a penchant for sharing info with the FBI, it seems privacy might not be as ironclad as advertised. Sure, the emails may be locked up tight, but metadata can still slip through the cracks, leaving a breadcrumb trail for anyone with the know-how to follow.

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THIS MONTHS SPOTLIGHT, VULNERABILITY CHAT & PRIVACY HEADLINES

A vulnerable API, results in 2.6 million user data exposed.
https://breachaware.com/research/a-vulnerable-api-results-in-millions-of-user-data-exposed
A total of 6 breaches were found and analysed resulting in 309,638 leaked accounts containing a total of 14 different data types. The breaches found publicly and freely available included EPL Diamond, DICO DF Furniture, Gezonderwinkelen, Zeosys Co., Ltd and Cars World.

AnonFiles are shut down by proxy provider.
https://breachaware.com/research/anonfiles-are-shut-down-by-proxy-provider
A total of 21 breaches were found and analysed resulting in 6,566,267 leaked accounts containing a total of 17 different data types. The breaches found publicly and freely available included Whoosh, Erectile Dysfunction Clinic, OCC Mundial, Tjori and Job Plus.

The "ultimate marketplace for selling your business" suffers a data breach.
https://breachaware.com/research/ultimate-marketplace-for-selling-your-business-suffers-a-data-breach
A total of 20 breaches were found and analysed resulting in 8,226,171 leaked accounts containing a total of 18 different data types. The breaches found publicly and freely available included Drive Sure, Guia TV Pro, Stalker, Propostuplenie and Podrygka.

If you're from the UK, that's a potential no 'opt out' option from surveillance.
https://breachaware.com/research/thats-a-potential-no-opt-out-option-from-surveillance
A total of 18 breaches were found and analysed resulting in 4,228,354 leaked accounts containing a total of 20 different data types. The breaches found publicly and freely available included Synevo, Helix, Zurich Insurance - Japan, Over Clock Zone and Agence Emploi Jeunes.