Inside the FBI hack: Agents fearful and angry after 'dangerous' data breach

FBI agents are expressing shock, fear and anger following a major data breach that potentially exposed private information of the entire agency workforce, according to current and former FBI agents who spoke to BBC News. One former agent, a cyber investigator, is concerned about the safety of undercover agents, fearing their personal data could be accessible to criminals and hostile hackers.

The hacking group ShinyHunters, which claims to have breached FBI systems on Monday, is threatening to publish stolen databases and documents within four days unless its demands are met. The group has already posted details of the attack on its darknet site and is demanding the FBI retract an advisory published in May, which they claim offended them.

FBI agents are worried their personal information, including home addresses and contact details, could be used for phishing attempts, scams, or even physical attacks. The hack raises concerns about national security implications, such as staff becoming targets for recruitment by hostile foreign intelligence services. FBI leadership has acknowledged the breach and is aggressively investigating how it occurred, but has not responded to requests for comment.

Former FBI agents are expressing frustration with the agency's security failures, describing them as "sloppy and lazy."