Breach, Data Security, Vulnerability Management

HotelHippo shuts down permanently after security flaws discovered

After a security consultant turned customer found and reported a number of potentially serious security vulnerabilities on its travel booking site, HotelHippo has shuttered the site for good.

HotelStayUK, the site's parent, issued a statement referring to the online booking agency as “a small very little-used site” and claiming that only 24 customers “were affected  by the issues with HotelHippo,” though acknowledging a single user affected is “completely unacceptable,” according to report in SCMagazineUK.com.

While noting “no issues” with its other sites, which use different login processes, the company said it alerted affected customers, took down all the group's sites and “put them through rigorous testing by independent experts to ensure their safety and security.”

HotelHippo's woes began when security expert Scott Helme discovered security flaws while trying to book accommodations and a subsequent BBC report outed the site.

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