Jewel Beat

We've been tracking an uptick in smaller, older breaches resurfacing in aggregated data dumps, often targeting specific demographics or interests. This Jewel Beat breach, initially reported in 2018, is a prime example. What really struck us wasn't the scale – only 31,220 records – but the continued availability of the data six years later and the use of outdated MD5 hashing. This combination makes it particularly dangerous for users who may have reused those credentials across other platforms.

Jewel Beat's 2018 Data Breach: Outdated Security Practices Fuel Credential Stuffing

In August 2018, the lifestyle blog Jewel Beat experienced a data breach that exposed approximately 31,220 user records. The breach came to light following reports of the database being offered on various hacking forums and dark web marketplaces. What caught our attention was the use of MD5 hashing for passwords, a deprecated security practice that makes password cracking relatively straightforward. This incident highlights the long-term risks associated with inadequate security measures and the potential for older breaches to be exploited years after the initial compromise.

Breach Stats:

Key point: Total records exposed: 31,220

Key point: Types of data included: Email addresses, Password hashes (MD5)

Key point: Source structure: Database

Key point: Leak location(s): Hacking forums, Dark web marketplaces

Key point: Date of first appearance: August 2018

The persistence of this data and the weak hashing algorithm used make it a significant risk for credential stuffing attacks. Attackers can easily crack the MD5 hashes and use the exposed email addresses and passwords to attempt to gain access to other online accounts. This is particularly concerning because users often reuse passwords across multiple platforms. The breach matters to enterprises now because it underscores the importance of proactively monitoring for leaked credentials associated with their employees and customers, even from seemingly minor or older breaches. It also highlights the need for robust password policies and the use of modern, secure hashing algorithms.

While the original breach didn't garner widespread media attention, similar incidents involving outdated security practices are frequently reported. For example, BleepingComputer has covered numerous cases of older databases being dumped online, highlighting the ongoing threat of credential stuffing and account takeovers. The Jewel Beat breach serves as a reminder that even smaller breaches can have significant consequences if security measures are not kept up to date.

Email · Address · Password · Hash