In 2014, some controversial photos of Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, and over 100 others leaked as a result of hackers’ involvement in the notorious “Celebgate” iCloud breach. A decade later, cybercrime masterminds target high-profile figures as they see fit with complete impunity: Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian included. Why do celebrities remain easy targets a decade later, and how do VPNs help to protect from these cyber threats?
Why Celebrities Are Hacking Magnets
1. Prioritized Targets
Celebrities have immense financial, social, and reputation capital. Hacking into their social media accounts is valuable to hackers (for instance, 2020’s Twitter Bitcoin scam netted $118,000 within a few minutes). Private letters and photographs as well as contracts sell on dark web forums too.
2. Public Digital Footprints
Celebrities place personal details on the web for purposes of branding, making it easy for hackers to develop convincing phishing scams. For example:
SIM swapping: Hackers acquire phone numbers to bypass two-factor authentication (2FA).
Social engineering: Attackers impersonate recognized organizations (e.g., Apple Support) to gain login information.
3. Weak security practices
Despite their fame, some celebrities reuse passwords, overlook 2FA, or use unsecured Wi-Fi networks to log in at conferences, hotels, and cafes.
Common Types of Cyberattacks Against Celebrities
1. Phishing and Credential Stealing
Celebgate (2014): Hackers spread false Apple security messages to get iCloud passwords and released over 500 intimate pictures.
Law firm data breaches: 756 GB of sensitive information (contracts, NDAs) was exfiltrated by hackers from Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks in 2020, including celebrities such as Madonna and LeBron James.
2. SIM Swapping
In 2021, an EU-based gang hijacked celebrities’ phone numbers so as to drain crypto wallets and seize social media accounts. The gang had stolen more than $100 million prior to their apprehension.
3. Ransomware & Extortion
Hackers lock out celebrities from their devices or release stolen data unless paid. For example, in 2020, hackers REvil wanted Grubman Law Firm to pay $42 million.
How do VPNs Protect Celebrities from Cyberattacks?
1. Encryption: The Ultimate Privacy Shield
VPNs encrypt internet traffic, making it unreadable to hackers, ISPs, or governments. It Secures sensitive communications. Encrypted emails and messages prevent leaks of contracts or personal details. VPN blocks session hijacking through AES-256 encryption and stops attackers from stealing login cookies.
2. IP Anonymity and IP Masking
By replacing a user’s IP address with one from a remote server, VPN hides physical locations. Paparazzi can’t track a celebrity’s movements via IP geolocation.
VPN also prevents doxxing as it masks IP and makes it harder for trolls to link online activity to real identities.
3. Public Wi-Fi Use Safely
Public hotel, airport, and cafe networks tend to be hacking hotspots. VPNs encrypt connections and protect against man-in-the-middle attacks on public Wi-Fi. It also secures mobile phones and protects data used for banking or internet-based activities.
4. Geo bypassing
Celebrities traveling abroad use VPNs to access Netflix, Hulu, or regionally unavailable sporting events. They also use VPN to avoid censorship so that they can use platforms like TikTok or X in censored countries.
Case Studies: Celebrities Utilizing VPNs
1. Kim Kardashian
Having been robbed in 2016 due to her use of social media, Kim now takes precautions to conceal her location and secure communications using a VPN.
2. Elon Musk
The CEO of Tesla reportedly is using VPNs to secure SpaceX patents and avoid industrial espionage.
3. Edward Snowden
The privacy activist promotes VPNs as necessary weapons to thwart state spying.
Beyond VPNs: Additional Security Measures
1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Celebrities like Taylor Swift use hardware security keys (e.g., YubiKey) to block unauthorized logins.
2. Password Managers
Tools like 1Password generate unique, complex passwords for each account, reducing breach risks.
3. Regular Software Updates
Outdated apps are hacking gateways. Stars like Jack Dorsey prioritize patching vulnerabilities promptly.
How You Can Protect Yourself Like a Celebrity
1. Choose a Reputable VPN
Pick a VPN provider with a No-logs policy. Ensure the provider doesn’t store user data. Some Notable VPNs with No-logs policy are AstrillVPN and NordVPN.
Also look for the kill switch feature as it automatically disconnects if the VPN drops, preventing IP leaks.
2. Adopt Celebrity-Level Habits
Avoid public Wi-Fi without a VPN and protect yourself from possible hacking attempts.
Use aliases for non-critical accounts and monitor dark web for leaked data.
3. Educate Yourself
Follow cybersecurity blogs (e.g., Aura, UpGuard) to stay updated on emerging threats.
Conclusion
Celebrities face unparalleled cyber risks, but their strategies like using VPNs offer actionable lessons for everyone. By encrypting data, masking IPs, and securing public connections, VPNs are the unsung heroes of digital privacy. Whether you’re a star or an everyday user, adopting these tools can thwart hackers and reclaim control over your online life.
As cybercriminal tactics evolve, so must our defenses. Remember: In the battle for privacy, a VPN isn’t just an option, it’s a necessity.
