16 billion logins exposed in mysterious, gigantic data breach
Researchers from Cybernews have stumbled upon what might be the second largest data breach in history. Containing over 16 billion username and password combinations, the … The post 16 billion logins exposed in mysterious, gigantic data breach appeared first on BGR.
Researchers from Cybernews have stumbled upon what might be the second largest data breach in history. Containing over 16 billion username and password combinations, the newly found massive database is dwarfed only by a 2024 data breach that contained 26 billion logins.
One might be tempted to think these databases contain old, irrelevant information. They might even overlap to some degree. However, the researchers at Cybernews say the data isn’t just old data resurfacing online from time to time. It’s still relevant to attackers.
The databases contain additional elements beyond logins, including cookies that might let hackers access accounts even after you think you’ve secured them.
Hackers conduct malware campaigns all the time, looking to steal sensitive personal information, such as credentials for apps and services. They use those logins to extract more information, steal money, and obtain other benefits. Hackers will also try the same username and password combination on multiple websites, as some internet users recycle their logins.
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16 billion logins exposed in mysterious, gigantic data breach originally appeared on BGR.com on Fri, 20 Jun 2025 at 07:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
