News spread early Fridaythat a record-breaking data breach exposed 16 billion passwords to the world,beyond eroticism by ping ching hsu ebook including user credentials for the likes of Facebook, Google, Apple, and tons of other places. Some commentators were quick to call it the largest password leak in history, and in terms of raw records exposed, that’s mostly, technically true. However, these records did notcome from a single breach — or even a new breach. Instead, they came from many smaller ones.
Data breaches are an unfortunate reality in the digital age, and some of the breaches can be quite large. However, not every release of stolen data is the direct result of a recent cybersecurity breach. As Mashable recently reported in our countdown of the top cybersecurity breaches of 2025, hackers will often compile information from multiple prior hacks and combine them into one massive file. This is becoming a trend in the darker corners of the internet. The end result is more of a “greatest hits” rather than a new, noteworthy hack.
Such is the case here. Per Bleeping Computer, the information contained in the 16 billion records was most likely compiled from a host of prior hacks, compiled, and then released as a single set of data. It was likely circulating for some time before being compiled, and likely came from a combination of breaches, hacks, phishing scams, and malware.
This is backed up by a tweetfrom vx-underground, an educational website that specializes in malware and cybersecurity. “Someone took a bunch of existing leaks, threw it all together, and slapped a NEW stick [sic] on it.”
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
However, the existence of all this data in one spot is still rather damaging, as cybercriminals now have access to all of this data in a single spot, potentially making it much easier to concoct more effective phishing scams or engage in identity theft.
The largest single-point data breach in history is still Yahoo’s 2016 breach, when hackers stole data about all three billion of the website’s users.
Mashable is live at VidCon 2025:Check out our VidCon coveragewith your favorite content creators now.
With so many records in one spot — even if some of them are legacy data that is no longer relevant — it’s still probably a good idea to take an audit of your online services to make sure you’re protected. A good place to start is Have I Been Pwned, a website dedicated to showing data breaches. Simply go there, enter your email address(es), and the site will show you which credentials have been exposed to the public.
We recommend changing those credentials immediately if you haven’t already, and using a strong password when you do so, as they are more difficult to crack. After that, you’ll want to enable multi-factor authenticationon every account you possibly can, as the added layer helps keep criminals from stealing your life if they obtain your password. That should be the bare minimum, but there are plenty of other steps you can taketo keep yourself safe online as well.
Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email [email protected]with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form.Someone from Mashable will get in touch.
Topics Cybersecurity
Wordle today: The answer and hints for January 28, 2025
Woman confronts alt
Coach is bringing '70s space vibes with new NASA
10 of the films people are most excited about at Cannes
Best Amazon deal: Save 20% on floral and botanical Lego sets
Ariana Grande shares heartbreaking message on social media after tragic concert
Facebook and Google dominate in online news — but for very different topics
Surprise! Fans are as obsessed with the 'Twin Peaks' revival as the original
Three Apps to Combine All Your Messaging Clients Into One
Instagram update adds location and hashtag Stories
Assassin's Creed Origins: How Heavy is It on Your CPU?
UNICEF launches free app that converts your daily steps into life
'Come From Away' is the musical about 9/11 everyone is talking about. Here's why.
Google and the U.N. launch immersive site to explain the Syrian refugee crisis
Getting Started with Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts
Recently fired woman lectures new grads on how to hold a job
Number of Apple devices targeted in government requests doubled in 2016
10,000 bitcoin bought 2 pizzas in 2010 — and now it'd be worth $20 million
9 Tech Products That Were Too Early to Market
Trump and Netanyahu didn't want this selfie, but it happened anyway
Nintendo Switch 2 patent seems to confirm mouse functionality for the new JoyKendrick Lamar halftime show surprise: Internet predictions from Drake to Taylor SwiftBest MacBook deal: Save $300 on 2022 Apple MacBook AirHow to watch the 2025 SAG Awards live: Streaming details, Netflix dealsNYT Connections hints and answers for February 8: Tips to solve 'Connections' #608.Wordle today: The answer and hints for February 8, 2025NYT Connections hints and answers for February 7: Tips to solve 'Connections' #607.Travis Kelce Super Bowl outfit: The internet verdict is swiftSamuel L. Jackson narrates Kendrick Lamar's halftime show as 'Uncle Sam'How to unblock Pornhub for freeSuper Bowl 2025 performers: Who is singing the anthems?Super Bowl 2025 performers: Who is singing the anthems?Every time 'Severance' hinted at that huge Helly twistWordle today: The answer and hints for February 7, 2025Best Samsung TV deal: Save $1,700 on 77Super Bowl LIX livestream: Watch Eagles vs Chiefs on TubiWho is 'Black national anthem' singer Ledisi?How to unblock Pornhub for freeGoogle Search 'AI Mode' has started internal testing, report saysNintendo Switch 2 patent seems to confirm mouse functionality for the new Joy No, the power grid in Vermont was not infiltrated by Russian hackers Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey asks Twitter for help with his two jobs Russian Embassy just responded to U.S. sanctions with a meme. Really. He had a pro Ronda Rousey lost her first fight in more than a year in just 48 seconds Consumer Reports stands by its verdict, won't recommend Apple's MacBook Pro Why 2016 was the year of time travel 2016 was even worse than you thought because we lost these 14 great minds Conspiracy theorists think an injured NBA player is another victim of Pizzagate Serena Williams engaged to Reddit co How Syrian refugees spent the holidays Instant messaging is the bane of my introverted existence 2016: The year Facebook became the bad guy Obama calling a last minute meeting to save Obamacare People fell for a fake BBC Twitter account saying the Queen was dead Emma Watson singing in 'Beauty and the Beast' leaked by Belle doll Produce worker admiring his work gets the Photoshop battle he deserves Can an app change human behavior? This behavioral economics professor is banking on it The harrowing tale of Ryan Seacrest getting stuck in a Times Square elevator France's new 'right to disconnect' law rolls out
1.5104s , 10195.890625 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【beyond eroticism by ping ching hsu ebook】,Unobstructed Information Network