Crypto exchange Binance has recommended that its users change their email accounts, in light of a data leak at Bitcoin exchange BitMEX. As reported by Decrypt, BitMEX inadvertently sent out thousands of its users' email addresses by using carbon copy instead of blind carbon copy emails.
Since many people tend to use the same emails and passwords for multiple exchanges, it's possible that the data revealed in BitMEX's blunder could be used for phishing attacks—where hackers pose as legitimate users by using their details—on other exchanges.
The official Binance account tweeted, "If you are one of the affected users and you also have a Binance account under the same email address, we recommend changing your email immediately." It then pointed users to a blog post on advice for how to do so.
Bitcoin exchange BitMEX leaked thousands of user emails, say reports
Bitcoin futures exchange BitMEX, known for offering 100x leverage trading, accidentally exposed thousands of user emails today by mistakenly using the wrong email tool. Instead of using blind carbon copy, it used carbon copy, for multiple emails sent to a large portion of its user base, each containing thousands of user emails, according to reports. In a statement, BitMEX said, "We are aware that some of our users have received a general user update email earlier today, which contained the email...
Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao added, "Use a unique email address and unique password for each exchange. Use a password manager to remember the strong passwords for you."
BitMEX has also updated its statement on the leaks, reporting that it was the result of a software error that has since been fixed. It added that, "no other personal data or account information have been disclosed and no further emails have been sent."
