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# iCloud Hack: A Closer Look At The Celebrity Photo Leak

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/JUnsx5lK.m3u8" -->
## Video: iCloud Hack: A Closer Look At The Celebrity Photo Leak

[Watch (HLS stream): iCloud Hack: A Closer Look At The Celebrity Photo Leak](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/JUnsx5lK.m3u8) (2:09)

![iCloud Hack: A Closer Look At The Celebrity Photo Leak](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/JUnsx5lK/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2014-09-03. Apple says the stolen celebrity photos obtained through iCloud were not the result of a bug. Instead, hackers used "very targeted" attacks._


---

Jul 27, 2023 5:11 PM UTC

---

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### Hacker Leaks Nude Photos Of Jennifer Lawrence

[The Hackers and the Hacked](/video/UlHORwaF/)

### The Hackers and the Hacked

---


## Transcript

After the theft and subsequent posting of hundreds of nude photos, Apple says its' engineers investigated the situation, and that's because th photos were allegedly obtained by exploiting Apple's web based storage service iCloud. Reports originally indicated the photos were snagged using a bug in Apple's service but the company denied this in a press release writing, accounts were compromised by a very targeted attack on usernames, passwords, and security questions. Apple appeared to be referring to a practice used by hackers and what Business Insider referred to as an iCloud hacking ring. Using specialist password- cracking tools and guessing Target's security questions through Apple's iForgot password reset form.

Hackers are consistently able to gain access to iCloud accounts with only an email address. After they've gained access, hackers gather the account's photos using special retrieval software. So it appears these leaks aren't really the results of any explicit flaws in Apple's code despite early reports. Instead the photos were obtained through social engineering using human error to exploit systems for gain. According to the Daily Mail, these celebrity photos were obtained over the course of several months and involved more than one individual. One user, however, seems to be the main source of the leaked images.

Going by the name original guy, the poster promised users he'd share more nude celebrity photos as soon as he moved to another location. Reportedly, to evade authorities. Apple recommends users set strong passwords and enable two factor authentication, a tool that requires users to enter a code sent to a separate trusted device, like your iPhone, before you can make changes to your account.

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