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Blog Leaks Facebook Source Code

Concerns persist over social site's security

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 13, 2007 5:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – A blog called "Facebook Secrets" posted a restricted section of the site's source code on Saturday, revealing a major security flaw in the popular social networking site. While the leak didn't  reveal any sensitive information, it does raise concerns as to whether the site's 52M users' personal data is secure and protected.

The fraction of code, which pertained to the structure of the homepage, had been "exposed to a small number of users as a result of a single, misconfigured web server," and was "fixed immediately," says Facebook, adding "it was not a security breach and did not compromise user data in any way." Some bloggers likened the leak to a Harry Potter prologue; but others dismissed the hoopla: "Source code secrecy is over-rated," wrote one on Valleywag.

AddictingGames to Launch Facebook Application.  (PRNewsFoto/Nickelodeon)
AddictingGames to Launch Facebook Application. (PRNewsFoto/Nickelodeon)   (Associated Press)
The August, 20-27 double issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, August 13), The Facebook Effect looks at how Facebook, the wildly popular networking site is growing up and facing new challenges to become a fixture in the digital age; excerpts from the Newsweek/Kaplan How to Get Into College Guide, the...
The August, 20-27 double issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, August 13), "The Facebook Effect" looks at how Facebook, the wildly popular networking site is growing up and facing new challenges to...   (Associated Press)
d. The three founders of ConnectU say Zuckerberg agreed to finish computer code for their site, but repeatedly stalled and eventually created Facebook using their ideas.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, FILE)
d. The three founders of ConnectU say Zuckerberg agreed to finish computer code for their site, but repeatedly stalled and eventually created Facebook using their ideas. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, FILE)   (Associated Press)
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