In a shocking turn of events, Archive.org, the renowned digital repository that preserves the vast history of the Internet, has experienced a significant data breach, compromising the information of approximately 31 million users.

The news broke around 2 PM PST when social media platforms erupted with alarming screenshots taken from the Archive.org homepage. The alarming message stated: 'Have you ever felt like the Internet Archive runs on sticks and is constantly on the verge of suffering a catastrophic security breach? It just happened. See 31 million of you on HIBP!'

For those unfamiliar, HIBP, or 'Have I Been Pwned', is a crucial resource for internet users that tracks data breaches and informs individuals if their personal information has been leaked online.

The unsettling notification was short-lived, as shortly thereafter, Archive.org began displaying a notification indicating that the site was temporarily down. When it returned, Brewster Kahle, the founder of Archive.org, took to social media to address concerns, confirming that the site had fallen victim to a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack.

According to HIBP, the breach occurred last month yet has now come to light, exposing sensitive data, including email addresses, usernames, and bcrypt-hashed passwords. The revelation has raised serious questions about the security protocols of one of the most important digital libraries in existence.

Experts are urging users to take immediate action to protect their accounts, including changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication where possible. It is a harsh reminder of the vulnerabilities that even the most reputable online platforms can face.

The implications of this breach could be extensive, as it serves as a wake-up call for many organizations about the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. As more details emerge, users are advised to stay vigilant about their personal information and monitor any unusual activity linked to their accounts.

More information will be released as the investigation continues, but for now, internet users are urged to check their status on HIBP and take necessary precautions.