There’s no denying that people aren’t fond of advertisements, but that doesn’t justify a cyber attack on ad-posting websites. Still, that didn’t stop hackers from hitting the website Gumtree, and taking the email addresses, names, and phone numbers of several of its Australian customers.

The details of the hack have not been disclosed, nor do we know the group responsible. However, as InfoSecurity Magazine reports, it resulted in unauthorized parties accessing account information.

Yet the information taken is not entirely vital. In fact, The Register reports, all the names and phone numbers taken were already readily available from the advertisements themselves. Additionally, Gumtree reports that no passwords were accessed, nor was any payment information accessed, as the website does not store that data.

Gumtree also adds that the incident was identified and resolved in minutes, and Gumtree Australia accounts were impacted, keeping the potential damage minimal. Still, it send out emails to impacted users, stating that their account information was compromised. The website also states that it’s “taken extra steps to protect user information,” and has alerted the proper authorities.

It is fortunate for Gumtree and its users that no sensitive data was taken, although the fact that hackers could break in does stand as a stark reminder to the importance of being alert and on guard for hackers and data breaches.

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