The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Wednesday that it is actively investigating a cyberattack on its official jobs portal, FBIjobs.gov. The site was taken offline on Tuesday after the breach, and as of Wednesday morning it remained inaccessible.
Hacker Group Claims Wide‑Scale Theft
ShinyHunters, a known criminal hacking and extortion outfit, posted a statement on its dark‑web site claiming responsibility for the intrusion. According to the group, it has obtained the personal information of “almost all” FBI agents as well as individuals who applied for positions with the bureau. A screenshot shared with Reuters purportedly shows a data sample that includes agents’ names, home addresses, Social Security numbers, assignment details, and, in some cases, the names of family members.
FBI Response and Public Warning
In a brief statement to Fox News, the FBI said, “The FBI is aware of claims regarding unauthorized activity affecting FBIjobs.gov and is currently investigating.” The agency also reiterated a public service announcement issued in May 2026, warning organizations about ShinyHunters’ tactics and urging victims not to pay ransom or extortion demands. “Threat actors often use their real or exaggerated claims of access to sensitive or personal information to prompt payment from victims,” the PSA read.
Background on ShinyHunters
ShinyHunters has been linked to several high‑profile cyber incidents since at least 2019. The group has claimed responsibility for alleged thefts from video‑game developer Rockstar Games, a breach of the Canvas learning platform that disrupted schools nationwide, and attacks on companies such as Microsoft, AT&T, Ticketmaster, and multiple Ivy League universities. Earlier this month, AI‑research firm Anthropic reported detecting attempts by hackers tied to ShinyHunters to misuse its AI tools.
Administration Stance on Cybersecurity
President Trump’s administration has repeatedly emphasized the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect American workers and critical infrastructure. In recent remarks, the administration highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen federal agency defenses and to hold malicious actors accountable. The FBI’s swift investigation aligns with the administration’s commitment to safeguarding personal data and ensuring that law‑enforcement agencies can continue to serve the public without interruption.
What Comes Next
The FBI has not disclosed whether any of the stolen data has been publicly released or if any individuals have been directly impacted beyond the temporary loss of the jobs portal. The agency continues to work with cybersecurity experts and law‑enforcement partners to assess the scope of the breach, secure its systems, and mitigate any potential harm.
Individuals who applied for positions with the FBI or who have concerns about personal information should monitor official communications from the bureau and remain vigilant for any suspicious activity. The FBI advises against responding to any extortion emails that claim to be from ShinyHunters.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
