Hackers defaced Subreddits with Pro-Trump Messaging

Hackers Compromised Mod Account to Deface 74 Reddit Communities

A number of subreddits were defaced last Friday. In a coordinated attack, 74 Reddit communities were defaced with images and messaging in support of US President Donald Trump. The proper moderators had been removed from their communities. It is believed that the hackers gained access through older, unused admin accounts that were not secured.

During the cleanup, many moderators (mods) posted that they had been hacked through an older mod account. The hackers had removed the current moderators from their subreddits and then posted Trump images and messaging.

READ: How to Export Google Chrome Saved Passwords

Moderators had to remove the content to clean up their communities.

One of the images used to deface the subreddits can be seen here https://imgur.com/a/dGTj3zw

2FA Protects Online Accounts

To help avoid attacks like these, moderators have to enable two–factor authentication (2FA) where it is available. Two-factor authentication forces the admin to use a second credential  – SMS text, email link, code from a phone call, etc. – to log in to an online account. This added layer of security can help prevent unauthorized access to accounts because the hacker needs to have physical access to a device or another account.

The attacks occurred on the heels of a Reddit policy change at the end of June that banned some 2,000 communities for hate speech.  The subreddits r/The_Donald, r/ChapoTrapHouse were among the subreddits taken down. Most of these were inactive.

That policy change came on the heels of Black Lives Matter protests.

List of Defaced Subreddits

1. r/dfwjobs
2. /r/nfl
3. /r/49ers
4. /r/3amjokes
5. /r/ANGEL
6. /r/Animemes
7. /r/AquaticAsFuck
8. /r/Avengers
9. /r/awwducational
10. /r/badhistory
11. /r/bannedfromclubpenguin
12. /r/beer
13. /r/bertstrips
14. /r/blackmirror
15. /r/BlackPeopleTwitter
16. /r/booksuggestions
17. /r/bostonceltics
18. /r/buffy
19. /r/BurningAsFuck
20. /r/CasualTodayILearned
21. /r/CFB
22. /r/comedyheaven
23. /r/creepyPMs
24. /r/CrewsCrew
25. /r/Dallas
26. /r/DallasProtests
27. /r/DestinyTheGame
28. /r/DeTrashed
29. /r/Disneyland
30. /r/dndmemes
31. /r/EDM
32. /r/Fireteams
33. /r/food
34. /r/freefolk
35. /r/FreezingFuckingCold
36. /r/gamemusic
37. /r/gorillaz
38. /r/Gunpla
39. /r/HeavyFuckingWind
40. /r/hentaimemes
41. /r/HuskersRisk
42. /r/ImagineThisView
43. /r/IRLEasterEggs
44. /r/iss
45. /r/Japan
46. /r/KingkillerChronicle
47. /r/lawschool
48. /r/Locklot
49. /r/lockpicking
50. /r/LuxuryLifeHabits
51. /r/Naruto
52. /r/nononono
53. /r/nonononoyes
54. /r/photoshopbattles
55. /r/plano
56. /r/podcasts
57. /r/PokemonGOBattleLeague
58. /r/politicaldiscussion
59. /r/Redditdayof
60. /r/rupaulsdragrace (HOW VERY DARE THEY)
61. /r/ShitAmericansSay
62. /r/ShitPostCrusaders
63. /r/space
64. /r/StartledCats
65. /r/subaru
66. /r/Supernatural
67. /r/Sweatypalms
68. /r/telescopes
69. /r/ThatsInsane
70. /r/vancouver
71. /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers
72. /r/weddingplanning
73. /r/woof_irl
74. /r/xxfitness

Most of these subreddits are under the control of their proper moderators again and cleaned up.