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Sensitive data of 2.88 million Physics Wallah users leaked on dark web

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A threat actor has allegedly put up for sale a database containing sensitive information of over 2.88 million users of Physics Wallah (PW), a popular edtech platform. The alleged database, now circulating in an underground cybercrime forum, contains full names, email addresses, mobile phone numbers, X handles, company affiliations, and physical addresses.

Such a leak could be harmful not only to the victims but also to the reputation of the institute. The trove of information could be used for potential phishing scams and identity theft in the future. Some of the information could also be used for digital arrests, a type of scam rising in India.

As of now, the real identity of the hacker is unknown, and Physics Wallah is yet to issue an official statement on the situation.

PW is one of the biggest edtech platforms founded in 2016 by Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari. The company has centres in over a hundred cities and caters to about 28 government exams in India. PW also operates more than 120 YouTube channels in eight vernacular languages.

Last year, PW raised $210 million in a series B funding with over USD 2.8 billion valuation.

Attacks on edtech platforms in India are also on the rise. Recently, SkilloVilla, a Bengaluru-based education firm, suffered a data breach where hackers could exfiltrate two compressed archives — one of 29.2 GB and another of 4.6 GB.

Similarly, last month, another edtech platform Wissenhive was targeted by the FunkSec ransomware group. The threat actors claimed they own over 32,000 records containing data from 2021 to 2022.

In December of last year, FunkSec targeted QuizTarget, an online platform recognised for its interactive quizzes and survey solutions, and exfiltrated 6 GB of data.

In the News: Woman loses over Rs 10 lakh in digital arrest scam

Kumar Hemant

Kumar Hemant

Deputy Editor at Candid.Technology. Hemant writes at the intersection of tech and culture and has a keen interest in science, social issues and international relations. You can contact him here: kumarhemant@pm.me

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