In a shocking revelation, the Supreme Court's electronic filing system was compromised by Tennessee hacker Nicholas Moore, raising alarms about data security. Moore's unauthorized access to sensitive information has left many wondering if their personal data is at risk. This breach isn't just a news headline—it could have real-world implications for anyone whose information might have been exposed.
What Data Points Were Leaked?
Nicholas Moore, a hacker from Tennessee, managed to break into the Supreme Court's restricted electronic filing system. He did this by using stolen login credentials, bypassing security measures that should have protected sensitive case information. Once inside, Moore didn't just keep the breach to himself. He posted screenshots on Instagram, making private details public for anyone to see.
What Kind of Data Was Exposed?
The leaked data points include:
Victims' full names: Names tied to filings and possibly parties in sensitive legal cases.
Filing system details: Internal notes and metadata from the Supreme Court's electronic files.
By sharing this data online, Moore exposed individuals to risks far beyond embarrassment. This kind of information, floating around on social media, is a goldmine for scammers and identity thieves. Anyone whose name or information appeared in those screenshots could now find themselves vulnerable to phishing attacks or unwanted scrutiny.
This wasn't just a technical blunder—it was a serious breach of trust. If you or someone you know has interacted with the Supreme Court's online system, your details might have been among those posted.
Should You Be Worried?
Anyone who’s interacted with the Supreme Court’s electronic systems—lawyers, litigants, or even those just tracking a case—could be caught in the fallout of this data breach. If your information has ever touched their online portals, it’s time to pay attention.
Who’s at Risk?
The breach isn’t just a headline; it’s a real threat to a wide group of people. Here’s who might need to be alert:
Attorneys and Law Firms: Those who file, receive, or view documents online are likely affected.
Litigants and Witnesses: If your personal details are in court documents, those could now be exposed.
Third Parties: Even support staff or external consultants with access credentials could be on the list.
What’s Actually Exposed?
It’s not just your email address at stake. Breaches like these often expose:
Names, addresses, phone numbers
Sensitive case details
Login credentials for court systems
Financial data attached to filings
Once this information is out in the wild, it’s a playground for cybercriminals.
Identity Theft: Criminals can use stolen details to impersonate you, apply for credit, or gain access to other sensitive systems.
Credential Stuffing: Hackers often use breached usernames and passwords to try breaking into other sites—especially if you reuse passwords.
Phishing Attacks: With enough personal info, scammers can craft convincing emails or phone calls to trick you into giving up even more data.
Emotional and Financial Fallout
It’s not just about data. Having your information leaked can weigh on you in ways that aren’t always obvious:
Stress and Anxiety: The uncertainty of “who has my info?” can keep anyone up at night.
Financial Loss: Cleaning up after fraud—canceling cards, disputing charges, even fixing your credit—can be costly and time-consuming.
Trust Erosion: It’s hard to feel safe sharing info with institutions after something like this.
Taking Back Control
One smart response is to reduce how much personal information you share online. This is where privacy tools like Cloaked come in handy. Cloaked allows you to create masked emails, phone numbers, and more, so even if there’s a breach, your real details are hidden. It’s not about paranoia—it’s about being smart with what you share.
Staying alert and making small changes can go a long way in protecting yourself against the ripple effects of data leaks like this one.
What Should Be Your Next Steps?
It’s tough to shake off the anxiety after hearing your information might be out in the wild. So, let’s get straight to what you can do—no fluff, just real steps you can take to protect yourself.
1. Check If Your Data Was Exposed
Confirm the breach: Don’t assume you’re affected. Use trusted sources or online tools to see if your information was part of the leaked data. Many legitimate services can check your email or phone number against recent breaches.
Look for warning signs: Watch for unfamiliar logins, password reset emails you didn’t request, or strange charges on your accounts.
2. Strengthen Your Digital Defenses
You can’t control if your data is leaked, but you can control your response:
Change passwords immediately: Focus on accounts tied to the breach and any others where you reused the same password. A strong password is long, mixes letters, numbers, and symbols, and doesn’t use obvious info like birthdays.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA): This adds another layer of protection. Even if someone has your password, they can’t get in without your second factor—usually a code from your phone or a dedicated app.
Monitor your accounts closely: Check your bank, email, and social media for any unusual activity.
3. Consider Digital Privacy Tools
If you’re tired of feeling exposed, now’s a smart time to use tools that add a layer of privacy between you and potential threats. For example, Cloaked offers a way to create secure, disposable emails and phone numbers. These can shield your real contact details and alert you if someone tries to use your information without your permission.
4. Adopt Cybersecurity Best Practices
Update your passwords regularly: Don’t set it and forget it.
Never reuse passwords across accounts: One breach shouldn’t give someone keys to your entire digital life.
Be wary of phishing: Don’t click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources. If something feels off, trust your gut.
Use a password manager: These help you generate and keep track of complex passwords, so you don’t have to remember them all.
5. Stay Informed
Keep up to date with data breach news. The quicker you know about a breach, the quicker you can act. Sign up for alerts from trustworthy sources, and consider using services like Cloaked to monitor for any misuse of your digital identity.
Remember, you can’t prevent every breach, but you can make yourself a much harder target. Taking these steps seriously will put you in a stronger position if your information ever ends up in the wrong hands.
Cloaked FAQs Accordion
Frequently Asked Questions
First, change your passwords—especially if you've reused them across sites. Then enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all key accounts. Review your account and credit activity regularly for any unusual behavior. If suspicious actions surface, consider freezing your credit and alerting your bank. To proactively reduce exposure in the future, tools like Cloaked can mask your personal information before breaches happen.
Cloaked provides you with disposable emails, phone numbers, and payment details, making it harder for bad actors to access your real identity. These tools help you safely sign up for services, communicate, and shop online without putting your core identity at risk.
Commonly targeted data includes full names, email addresses, phone numbers, birthdates, physical addresses, login credentials, and payment info. Tools like Cloaked help shield this information by providing secure, masked alternatives.
Always be skeptical. Malicious links are one of the most common ways hackers infect devices or steal data. Avoid clicking unless you can verify the source. Services like Cloaked can add layers of security so your real contact info isn’t exposed even if you make a mistake.
Using the same contact info across platforms makes it easy for attackers to build a full profile of you. If one platform gets breached, all your accounts can be at risk. That’s why Cloaked allows you to use different, secure contact methods for each service.
At Cloaked, we believe the best way to protect your personal information is to keep it private before it ever gets out. That’s why we help you remove your data from people-search sites that expose your home address, phone number, SSN, and other personal details. And to keep your info private going forward, Cloaked lets you create unique, secure emails and phone numbers with one click - so you sign up for new experiences without giving away your real info. With Cloaked, your privacy isn’t a setting - it’s the default. Take back control of your personal data with thousands of Cloaked users.
*Disclaimer: You agree not to use any aspect of the Cloaked Services for FCRA purposes.
