eBay Warns Customers to Change Passwords After Database Hacked

EBay asked customers to change their passwords after a database containing personal information was cracked by hackers, according to a statement released on Wednesday.

The database contained encrypted passwords and was compromised in late February into March. While the database did contain customer information including phone numbers, birth dates, and email addresses, it did not include financial information, the company said.

'Cyberattackers compromised a small number of employee log-in credentials, allowing unauthorized access to eBay's corporate network,' the company said in a statement. EBay has seen 'no evidence of any unauthorized access to financial or credit card information, which is stored separately in encrypted formats.'

The breach was discovered about two weeks ago, according to eBay, leading to a probe that identified the hacked database.

EBay users will be contacted by the company on Wednesday asking them to change their passwords. A notice asking users to change their eBay passwords was first posted on the company website for PayPal, which is owned by eBay and handles its online payments.

'Cyberattackers compromised a small number of employee log-in credentials, allowing unauthorized access to eBay's corporate network.'

Users who use the same password on eBay and other websites should change their passwords on all sites, the company said.

PayPal released a statement saying that an investigation has not uncovered any evidence that information for its customers was hacked.

'PayPal customer and financial data is encrypted and stored separately, and PayPal never shares financial information with merchants, including eBay,' PayPal said.

High-profile hackings have plagued several companies in recent months. Target reported a massive security breach that laid financial information for tens of millions of customers vulnerable over the holiday season. AOL Mail reported a major hack in April in which email accounts were broken into and used to send out spam.

First published May 21 2014, 6:44 AM

Matthew DeLuca

Matthew DeLuca is a features editor. He started this role in November of 2013. DeLuca is responsible for working with the business, technology, science, entertainment, and health sections.DeLuca joined NBCNews.com from Newsweek and The Daily Beast, where he reported on crime, politics, and breaking news.