If you have an OG username on a social media app, email platform or anywhere else, you may want to take extra steps to protect yourself. However, many OG account holders have no idea they’re sitting on an asset that’s potentially worth hundreds, thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars - or that they’re prime targets for account takeover attacks. Many may have experienced some of the inconveniences of having an extremely simple email address, Instagram handle or other login (like getting signed up for accounts at dozens of random websites you never visit, in security journalist Brian Krebs’ case).
Lizzie’s story is unfortunately all too common for legitimate owners of OG usernames. Lizzie got her account back with help from Snapchat tech support, but she still felt violated by the experience and stopped using Snapchat as much. A recent episode of the Reply All podcast followed a Snapchat user named Lizzie whose OG username, “Lizard,” was stolen and eventually sold to someone who sent her harassing messages and threats. OG stands for “original gangster,” a reference to the fact that many of these usernames are held by early adopters of the apps and platforms in question. “Car.” “Chris.” “Lizard.” Online accounts with one-word names like these are known as “OG usernames,” and they’re prime targets for bad actors who steal, buy and sell access on a lucrative black market.
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