Get All Access for $5/mo

Has the Ashley Madison Hacker Been Identified? A security researcher has found clues via Twitter.

By Benjamin Snyder

This story originally appeared on Fortune Magazine

Shutterstock

The Ashley Madison hack, which posted the information over 32 million accounts, may have been performed by the Twitter user with the name "Thadeus Zu," according to a security researcher.

Brian Krebs, the researcher, pointed to the account's owner based on past postings to the social media side and other Twitter information that led him to believe he's part of the "Impact Team" responsible for the attack. But Thadeus Zu has spoken out against the accusations, tweeting, "They're eyeballing the wrong dude here, man," according to the publication.

Krebs has targeted Zu for numerous reasons, including citing information that Zu has hacked government sites in the past and has played AC/DC songs once the hack was completed. The Ashley Madison hack, meanwhile, had the song "Thunderstruck" played from the company's computers.

Per The Independent:

He also appeared to tweet links to the huge data dumps from the hacks, before they were picked up by the mainstream media, according to Krebs. Krebs said his initial interest in the account had come about because it posted a link to Ashley Madison source data soon after it was released.

"Thadeus Zu — whoever and wherever he is in real life — may not have been directly involved in the Ashley Madison hack; he claims in several tweets that he was not part of the hack, but then in countless tweets he uses the royal "We" when discussing the actions and motivations of the Impact Team," according to Krebs.

"But one thing is clear: If Zu wasn't involved in the hack, he almost certainly knows who was," added Krebs.

Benjamin Snyder is a writer at Fortune.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

How to Find the Right Programmers: A Brief Guideline for Startup Founders

For startup founders under a plethora of challenges like timing, investors and changing market demand, it is extremely hard to hire programmers who can deliver.

Starting a Business

Monetize Your Expertise — The Ultimate Guide to Creating and Selling Online Courses and eBooks

Unlock the secrets to transforming your knowledge into income with this comprehensive guide on creating and selling online courses and eBooks.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.

Business News

Selena Gomez Says She Isn't Selling Her $2 Billion Beauty Company

Gomez said in a new interview that she will be working on products for Rare "for the next few years."

Franchise

Wildly Popular McDonald's Spinoff CosMc's Will Expand to 10 Locations This Year. Find Out Which Cities Will Get An Outpost.

CosMc's, which debuted in Illinois last year, has four locations and six more planned, including one in a new city.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.