Some of the recent doxxing victims (Getty Images/WireImage/FilmMagic)When news hit yesterday that more than a dozen celebrities and politicians had what appears to be their private banking and financial information posted online (Al Gore was the latest to be added to the list, midday Tuesday), many outlets immediately misreported what happened as a "hacking" incident. But in this case, no one was "hacked" -- rather, this has been a case of "doxxing" -- or, posting documents online that are usually hidden behind a firewall of an institution such as a bank's or lawyer's office. (there's been hardly any verification, however, that any of the recently posted info is actually accurate)
So, what is "doxxing" exactly? And what can public figures (or you!) do to protect yourself from it?
omg! spoke with Dave Aitel, the CEO of Immunity, Inc., a boutique tech security firm. Aitel is a former NSA security advisor and an expert in information security, whose company does penetration testing. In other words, he's somebody who can do what the bad guys do, but on the right side of the law.
Read More »from ‘Celebrity Doxxing’ Explained … Plus, Trump Chimes in on Attacks