A Monster hack of private details
Updated on 27 January 2009
Web recruitment giant Monster falls prey to hackers in one of the biggest cases of internet data theft.
Internet hackers have managed to gain access to the details of millions of job seekers in one of the country's biggest cases of internet data theft, stealing names, passwords and email addresses.
Four and a half million people are registered with recruitment giant Monster. The company has now warned customers the hackers could try to use their email addresses to access further private information, like bank accounts.
This is the third time the company has been affected by a serious breach of data in two years.
What can you do?
If you use Monster and have used the same password on Monster as on other accounts - perhaps your email or bank account - change it immediately.
Also check to see whether any answers to security checks that you use on other sites are also stored on Monster - for example, your mother's maiden. If so, change them immediately.
Try to avoid using the same password for multiple websites.
The Information Commissioner's Office has prepared a guide giving consumers advice and tips on how to protect their personal information.
To download their advice document, click here.
If you are a Monster user and think you may have been affected by today's news, we would like to hear from you. Email us by clicking here.
Monster has also posted some advice on its website here
