$100 million stolen from the Louvre: The hack was Windows XP

If you think skipping a Windows update is no big deal, tell that to the Louvre. That tiny oversight helped thieves walk away with over $100 million in royal jewels.

On Oct. 19, a group of burglars pretending to be painters and workers rolled up to the world’s most famous museum, parked a truck with a lift outside and used it to reach a second-floor window. They pried it open, strolled into the Apollo Gallery like they owned the place and took eight pieces of Louis XIV-era jewelry. 

🚛 No alarms. No guards. Just gone.

This wasn’t a Mission: Impossible-level hack. It was basic. Stupid basic.

Audits going back to 2014 warned that the Louvre’s security system was dangerously outdated. One report showed that the most critical machines were running Windows 2000 and XP, operating systems so old, they weren’t even supported by Microsoft anymore. 

The passwords? One was literally “LOUVRE.” Another was “THALES,” the name of the French defense contractor managing the system. You cannot make this up.

Even in 2025, after multiple warnings, the museum still hadn’t updated most of its tech. One audit revealed that only 39% of rooms had one security camera installed. Antivirus updates were missing. Some computers didn’t even have screen locks.

💰 More Monet, less security

The Louvre brings in over $220 million a year from ticket sales, private events, licensing deals and a gift shop that prints cash. From 2018 to 2024, they spent $115 million buying new artwork. But only $3.3 million was set aside for security upgrades. 

Let this be a reminder. It doesn’t matter how big you are, how much money you make or how famous your “brand” is. If your tech is outdated and your passwords are lazy, you’re not secure, you’re lucky. Until you’re not.

Tell a friend. Forward this. Then go check your own passwords. Because history doesn’t repeat itself. It gets bolder.

Tags: antivirus, computers, operating systems, security, upgrades