Local expert weighs in on Ashley Madison membership increase after hack

A big data breach has had little negative impact for the adult cheating website Ashley-Madison.com.

The site prominently displays it’s user amount on it’s homepage, citing over 43-million people are using the service.

According to CNN, that number is up over 4-million users from the previous 39-million from July when hackers released customer data online.

As for the reason Psychologist Dr. Kathy Seifert says getting caught using the site and having data stolen could be match made in risk-taking heaven.

“with cheating in particular, it can be somebody who isn’t satisfied with their ordinary life and having trouble in their marriage, but sometimes not. Sometimes their just seeking the thrill of the game.”

Back in July, the data breach exposed names and some vital information of an estimated 32-million Ashley Madison members. We asked the company why they think their numbers have spiked since. They told us they weren’t releasing any information on the subject..

“There are some grownups who still have that way of thinking that everybody else will get caught, but I’m immune, I’ll never get caught,” Said Dr. Seifert.

On the tech side, we’re told that when dealing with a websites that have been hacked, or even ones that haven’t, there is almost always a risk involved for users.

“They should be worried, because with worry comes caution,” Elaine Starkey with the Delaware Department of Technology and Information tells 47 ABC.

Starkey tells us that using trusted sites and deleting personal and credit card information is a good way to keep yourself from being hacked.

After all, all someone needs to steal you’re identity is your name date of birth, and credit card info.

According to reports, Ashley Madison’s parent company is facing various lawsuits from the July incident, asking for over half a billion in damages.