Cyber criminals have stolen 16 billion passwords. All important online services such as Google, Apple, Facebook and Instagram, but also banks and government sports are affected. The data contain the website address, the username and the password.
Since May, only a small data record with 184 million entries has been known. The Cybernews team has now discovered the leak of billion dollars in a study that has been conducted since the beginning of 2025. In total they found 30 different data records that were expanded every few weeks with logins and sometimes only temporarily online. Due to the scope, it was difficult to determine the exact number of users involved, the researchers said. There are also overlaps. Some of the affected users are Portuguese speaking, part of Russia.
According to a rapid assessment by IT expert Helmut Janschka, the affected companies are “a Armageddon”. There was no leak of this size in the history of the internet.
Cybernews: “Conscious Intelligence Information”
Cybernews security researchers speak of a “blueprint for mass attacks”. Cyber criminals now have unprecedented access to personal registration data that can not only be used for account takeover, but also for identity theft and targeted phishing. The structure and current events of the data records are particularly worrying, because it is not only old security violations. It is rather “fresh, weapon information information”.
So that you can protect yourself
To protect yourself against password leaks, advise experts to regularly change passwords, especially for services such as e-mail, e-banking and social networks. This makes it difficult to access hackers. Password managers can be helped with the memory. Another recommendation is the two-factor authentication, which requires a further confirmation step in addition to the password. That increases the safety of the accounts, it is said.
Large technology companies such as Apple, Google and Microsoft already rely on so -called passkeys, where the fingerprint or face scan replaces the login. These methods no longer use transferable data and must therefore not crack practically.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
