Cyber Researchers Uncover 16 Billion Exposed Logins: What You Need to Do

Cybersecurity researchers have made a startling discovery: 16 billion login records, including sensitive information for Facebook, Apple, and Google accounts, were briefly exposed online. While not a direct breach of these tech giants, the data was found in datasets accumulated from “infostealers” and prior data leaks, highlighting a significant vulnerability for internet users.
Cybernews, the online tech publication that revealed these findings, emphasized that the datasets were poorly stored on remote servers for a short duration before being secured. The sheer volume of these records, even with potential overlaps, serves as a stark reminder of the extensive information available to cybercriminals.
Bob Diachenko, the Ukrainian cybersecurity expert behind the discovery, has downloaded the exposed files and is now embarking on the immense task of notifying the countless individuals and organizations affected. This effort will be time-consuming due to the sheer scale of the data.
Experts are urging internet users to take immediate steps to protect themselves. This includes frequently changing passwords, enabling multifactor authentication (MFA) on all accounts, and considering the adoption of password managers or passkeys. These proactive measures are essential in safeguarding personal data and preventing account takeovers in the face of pervasive cyber threats.