This is a multi-part interview with the individual known as “Nam3L3ss,” who leaked more than 100 databases on a popular hacking forum and will soon be leaking many more. In Part 1, he answers some questions about his background and what motivated him to do what he does. In Part 2, we talk a bit about his methods for finding exposed data. In Part 3, we discuss some ethical concerns and the future.
Preface
Christmas came early to database collectors this year, although for the millions of people whose personal nformation was leaked on a hacking forum, there is probably nothing merry about it. But before anyone gets angry at the self-described watchdog who leaked all the data, consider this: all of the data he leaked had already been leaked before and was already in the hands of countless businesses, entities, and criminals. If you are not finding much consolation in that thought, you are not alone.
In November, a relatively unknown forum user started leaking datasets on a hacking forum. Some of the databases were from well-known businesses. Others were from medical or healthcare entities. In a period of about one month, he leaked approximately 100 databases. The databases were neatly organized and provided a summary of who the ultimate victim was, who had hacked the data if it was hacked, and what company or entity had been responsible for the data protection at the time of the hack or leak.
It quickly became clear that the leaks were related to Clop’s 2023 exploitation of vulnerabilities in MOVEit file transfer software. The attack impacted more than 2,500 companies and was one of the biggest breaches of 2023. Although Clop leaked the data on their darkweb leak site if victims did not pay their extortion demands, trying to download the leaks was a painfully slow and frustrating process. The leaks were in dozens of parts that required assembly before they could be extracted and there was a lot extraneous or generally uninteresting files as well.
Then along came “Nam3L3ss,” who cleaned up the datasets and made them freely available and all neatly labeled as to source and circumstances.
Looking a gift horse squarely in the mouth, some forum users leapt to erroneous hypotheses about what was happening, leading Nam3L3ss to post a “manifesto” and to claim loudly to one and all:
I am NOT a hacker!
If something requires a username or password even a Default password I will NOT try and use it!
I am NOT affiliated with any Ransom Group or Hacker group!
I do NOT SELL DATA
I do NOT BUY DATA
The denial seemed pretty cclear to DataBreaches, but there were still a lot of questions that needed answers. Over the past week or two, DataBreaches and Nam3L3ss chatted and then agreed to organize our conversation in an interview-type format. Readers can now continue to:
He is right, he needs to expose these stupid bastards who allow companies to collect our personal data & sell it to the highest bidder. The National Public Data breach has exposed names & addresses of Federal Judges & all politicians & their family members. Now that Trump is in there & might release his dogs from January 6th, to act like Nazi Brown Shirts & go after those who locked them up & Trump’s (so called) enemies, they will use this data to locate them. That is what I worry about, not the retards who are swatting or making bomb threats, but these scumbags who met others like them while in prison & formed groups. They will be very dangerous MF’ers. The jerk ex cop in Florida allowed them to get away with these records & did not report it till it was to late. From what I’ve seen, he was selling information that only Law Enforcement should have access to & he was an ex cop, so, he may have stolen it from there databases, especially the SSN’s & Criminal Records. This information should be made public so these people can be aware of the danger they are in. Read about her [Judge Salas] & Cory Booker & this law: [url removed by admin; links not allowed in comments]. Trump’s half-wits will be coming after his enemies & using this National Public Data breach to do it. Someone needs to let her know. Now, not when its to late.
Funny you mention Jan6 because the people persecuted by Democrats were there protesting Democrat fraud and have been mercilessly locked up in a gulag. Democrats instigated the violence through operatives and feds. So yeah, ALL of the Jan6’ers SHOULD BE PARDONED. You liberals are fascists that want people to rot in prison that you disagree with politically, but then start crying about the possibility that retribution is coming. I wouldn’t be upset if you fascists got some of the same treatment that those innocent political prisoners have suffered the last 4 years. This election has shown a repudiation of Democrat weaponization of the legal system creating a 2-tier system of justice. You’re about to get a taste of your own medicine 🙂