If a new security report is correct, millions of people hoping to access Z-Library may have been lured to a phishing campaign instead. As we take a closer look at the report, which suggests that the personal details of millions could be at risk, the irony is unavoidable. Information on how to spot this scam is readily available, yet the scam itself relies on a steady stream of people eager to research on Z-Library, having done no research at all on the potential pitfalls.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
In terms of general internet security, there are few things worse than reports of yet another potentially massive leak of personal information.
Whether due to incompetence or deception, the bottom line is often the same; exploitation of data at the expense of those to whom it relates, and a further undermining of online safety to the detriment of all.
A report published by Cybernews.com claims that a Z-Library related scam lured 10 million people to a look-a-like site, where their personal information was held for nefarious purposes.
Key Claims
TorrentFreak has not seen the allegedly exposed database, so it necessarily follows that we’re in no position to confirm or reject any claim of authenticity. However, the general circumstances are familiar to us so with that as background, we’re able to provide some additional context.
Cybernews says its researchers discovered the database exposed on Z-Library lookalike site, z-lib.is, on June 27, 2024. It describes z-lib.is as a “malicious clone of Z-Library” and claims that the exposed database contains “almost 10 million users’ data.” The specifics are reproduced below verbatim.
Threat actors accidentally leaked usernames, email addresses, passwords, and Bitcoin and Monero wallet addresses of 9,761,948 users.
For many users, other data contains country codes, book requests, timestamps, comments, invoices, etc.
Researchers verified the validity of the data and confirmed that registered users were spammed with malicious links.
Researchers conclude with a high level of certainty that the data is authentic and filled out by users themselves
Z-Lib.is Previously Described as Malicious
Based on information publicly available for more than a year, Z-Lib.is is almost certainly malicious. In March 2023, the domain was reported alongside several others as fraudulent and a security risk by the official Z-Library team. They were very specific about the nature of the threat.
“These websites may steal your personal information and compromise your security,” Z-Library wrote.
The new report indicates that the data of almost 10 million users appears in the database. That is a very large number but on a base level, not impossible when considering traffic to the clone domains. Data shows that in February 2023 alone, Z-Lib.is had around 7.8 million visits. In the same month, the connected Zlibrary.to had around 9.1 million visits.
‘Data of 9.76 Million Users Leaked’
The claim that 9,761,948 people had their “usernames, email addresses, passwords, and Bitcoin and Monero wallet addresses” leaked in the database is less easily explained.
While it would be unremarkable for all users to have a username, an email address, and a password, it seems unlikely that details of Bitcoin and Monero wallets were handed over at anything like a similar rate. It’s of course feasible that the report didn’t intend to give that impression.
Yet if we assume that not every user handed over their crypto details (or even had any to hand over at all), that meets a challenge later in the report. It describes the leak as “extremely disturbing as it deanonymizes millions of crypto wallets and links related transactions to individuals who tried to access pirated content.”
Copyright Consequences, Punishment for Piracy?
After linking crypto with attempts to access pirated content, two further references to copyright infringement feature later in the report.
“The database backup was generated on June 20th, 2024. It contains user data and other information used in the operation, such as received Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown requests and payments to access the website’s resources,” the report notes.
“Z-Lib users should expect that the exposed data will likely be used by authorities, cybersecurity researchers, cybercriminals, and potentially anyone who can benefit from it. The data is not widespread yet, but it is vital to take action to protect other accounts.
“Law enforcement and copyright holders may use the leaked data to take legal action against the website’s users,” the researchers add.
As stated at the beginning, we have no access to the database and no knowledge of what else it may contain. On that basis, predicting whether it might be useful for civil litigation or even criminal prosecution, would be premature. The report makes no mention of any implications for the operators of the website itself, but notes that there may be attempts to blackmail users.
The Cybernews report also warns that people could face targeted phishing campaigns for the purpose of stealing their cryptocurrency, and follows up with various tips for those who may be affected.
Whether any, all, or none of these dangers will surface any time soon is unknown. That being said, it does seem fairly ironic that Z-Library is seen as a platform for study and research, but the success of the scam relies on potential targets being oblivious to the threat, having done little or no research over the past year.
Of course, there’s as much misinformation as there is information right now, so research may prove difficult. The basics, on the other hand, are very predictable. No pirate site ever needs a user’s personal details and handing them over will never lead to anything good.
From: TF, for the latest news on copyright battles, piracy and more.
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