A massive data breach has exposed an unprecedented 16 billion usernames and passwords, raising serious concerns about global cybersecurity. The leak, discovered by cybersecurity researchers, involves 30 datasets, some containing over 3.5 billion records. The exposed data includes credentials harvested through infostealer malware, which steals login information from various applications and services. This poses a significant threat due to the inclusion of cookies, session tokens, and other sensitive metadata. The exposed credentials span various platforms, including Apple, Google, Facebook, and government services. Experts warn of the potential for widespread exploitation, including phishing attacks, business email compromise, and ransomware intrusions. Individuals are encouraged to take immediate action to protect their accounts by using strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and regularly updating security software. The scale of the breach highlights the importance of proactive security measures to mitigate the risk of compromise.
