New Delhi : A massive data breach has exposed over 16 billion passwords online, making it one of the biggest security leaks in internet history. Security researchers say this isn’t just an old dump of data that’s been floating around for years. Most of the leaked credentials are said to be new, well-organised, and collected through a type of malware known as infostealers. These malware programs silently steal usernames and passwords from people’s devices and send them to hackers, who either use them directly or put them up for sale on dark web forums.
Experts are calling this breach a blueprint for global cybercrime because of how structured and usable the data is. It is believed that around 30 large data sets, each containing millions to billions of login details, have been collected, taking the total to over 16 billion stolen credentials. What makes this situation worse is how easily this stolen data can be bought. Reports say even people with limited technical knowledge and small amounts of money can access these passwords on the dark web.
Google has already advised people to switch from traditional passwords to more secure options like passkeys. The FBI has also warned the public to avoid clicking on links sent through SMS or emails, especially if they ask for login details. Cybersecurity experts suggest that people act immediately to protect themselves.
This includes changing passwords across all major accounts, using strong and unique passwords, turning on two-factor authentication (2FA), and using password manager apps to keep everything secure. It’s also a good idea to check if your information has been leaked using dark web monitoring tools. These tools can alert you if your email or password has been spotted in any known breaches.
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