What happened during the Ashley Madison data breach in 2015?

In July 2015, Ashley Madison, a website known for facilitating extramarital affairs, fell victim to a high-profile cyberattack by a group called "The Impact Team." The hackers accessed the personal information of millions of users, which included names, emails, home addresses, financial data, and detailed account information. Following the breach, the attackers demanded that Avid Life Media, the owner of Ashley Madison, shut down the site along with another one of their websites or risk having the stolen information released publicly. When the company didn't comply with the ultimatum, the hackers released the data trove online, leading to widespread personal and professional repercussions for its members. This breach raised significant concerns about internet privacy and security, illustrating the potential consequences of having sensitive personal information inadequately protected on digital platforms.