Latest news with #infostealers
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Billions of login credentials have been leaked online, Cybernews researchers say
NEW YORK (AP) — Researchers at cybersecurity outlet Cybernews say that billions of login credentials have been leaked and compiled into datasets online, giving criminals 'unprecedented access' to accounts consumers use each day. According to a report published this week, Cybernews researchers have recently discovered 30 exposed datasets that each contain a vast amount of login information — amounting to a total of 16 billion compromised credentials. That includes user passwords for a range of popular platforms including Google, Facebook and Apple. Sixteen billion is roughly double the amount of people on Earth today, signaling that impacted consumers may have had credentials for more than one account leaked. Cybernews notes that there are most certainly duplicates in the data and so 'it's impossible to tell how many people or accounts were actually exposed.' It's also important to note that the leaked login information doesn't span from a single source, such as one breach targeting a company. Instead, it appears that the data was stolen through multiple events over time, and then compiled and briefly exposed publicly, which is when Cybernews reports that its researchers discovered it. Various infostealers are most likely the culprit, Cybernews noted. Infostealers are a form of malicious software that breaches a victim's device or systems to take sensitive information. Many questions remain about these leaked credentials, including whose hands the login credentials are in now. But, as data breaches become more and more common in today's world, experts continue to stress the importance of maintaining key 'cyber hygiene.' If you're worried about your account data potentially being exposed in a recent breach, the first thing you can do is change your password — and avoid using the same or similar login credentials on multiple sites. If you find it too hard to memorize all your different passwords, consider a password manager or passkey. And also add multifactor authentication, which can serve as a second layer of verification through your phone, email or USB authenticator key.
ABC News
3 hours ago
- ABC News
Billions of logins for sites such as Google and Facebook leaked, compiled online
Billions of login credentials have been leaked and compiled into datasets online, giving criminals "unprecedented access" to accounts, according to new research from a cybersecurity publication. The research from Cybernews revealed that a total of 16 billion credentials were compromised, including user passwords for Google, Facebook and Apple. The report said the 30 exposed datasets each contained a vast amount of login information and the leaked information did not span from a single source, such as one breach targeting a company. Instead, it appears that the data was stolen through multiple events over time and then compiled and briefly exposed publicly, which is when Cybernews reports that its researchers discovered it. Various infostealers were most likely the culprit, Cybernews noted. Infostealers are a form of malicious software that breach a victim's device or systems to take sensitive information. Many questions remain about these leaked credentials, including whose hands the login credentials are in now. Sixteen billion is roughly double the amount of people on Earth today, signalling that impacted consumers may have had credentials for more than one account leaked. Cybernews also noted that there were most certainly duplicates in the data and so "it's impossible to tell how many people or accounts were actually exposed". As more information comes to light, experts continue to stress the importance of maintaining key "cyber hygiene." Some things you can do to prevent your data from being exposed include changing your password — and avoiding using the same or similar login credentials on multiple sites. Password managers or pass keys exist if you find it too hard to memorise all your different passwords. Multi-factor authentication can also serve as a second layer of verification through your phone, email or a USB authenticator key. AP
CBS News
8 hours ago
- CBS News
16 billion login credentials from Google and other sites leaked online, report says
Sixteen billion login credentials have been leaked and compiled into datasets online, giving criminals "unprecedented access" to accounts consumers use each day, according to researchers at cybersecurity outlet Cybernews. According to a report published this week, Cybernews researchers have recently discovered 30 exposed datasets that each contain a vast amount of login information — amounting to a total of 16 billion compromised credentials. That includes user passwords for a range of popular platforms including Google, Facebook and Apple. Because 16 billion is roughly double the amount of people on Earth today, the number signals that impacted consumers may have had credentials for more than one account leaked. Cybernews notes that there are most certainly duplicates in the data and so "it's impossible to tell how many people or accounts were actually exposed." It's also important to note that the leaked login information doesn't stem from a single source, such as one breach targeting a company. Instead, it appears that the data was stolen through multiple events over time, and then compiled and briefly exposed publicly, which is when Cybernews reports that its researchers discovered it. Various so-called "infostealers" are most likely the culprit, Cybernews noted. Infostealers are a form of malicious software that breaches a victim's device or systems to take sensitive information. The report comes amid a recent wave of cybersecurity attacks, which have grown more advanced in recent years. Two insurers, Erie Insurance and Philadelphia Insurance Companies, announced that their networks were hacked earlier this month. On Friday, Aflac said hackers gained access to its customers' personal information in a cybersecurity attack last week. Experts worry the situation may only get worse, CBS News' 60 Minutes recently reported. Experts call for "cyber hygiene" Many questions remain about these leaked credentials, including whose hands the login credentials are in now. But, as data breaches become more and more common in today's world, experts continue to stress the importance of maintaining key "cyber hygiene." If you're worried about your account data potentially being exposed in a recent breach, the first thing you can do is change your password — and avoid using the same or similar login credentials on multiple sites. If you find it too hard to memorize all your different passwords, consider a password manager or passkey. And also add multifactor authentication, which can serve as a second layer of verification through your phone, email or USB authenticator key.
Globe and Mail
10 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
16 billion login credentials have been leaked online, cybersecurity researchers say
Researchers at cybersecurity outlet Cybernews say billions of login credentials have been leaked and compiled into datasets online, giving criminals 'unprecedented access' to accounts consumers use each day. According to a report published this week, Cybernews researchers have recently discovered 30 exposed datasets that each contain a vast amount of login information – amounting to a total of 16 billion compromised credentials. That includes user passwords for a range of popular platforms including Google, Facebook and Apple. Sixteen billion is roughly double the amount of people on Earth today, signalling that impacted consumers may have had credentials for more than one account leaked. Cybernews notes that there are most certainly duplicates in the data and so 'it's impossible to tell how many people or accounts were actually exposed.' Scams can cost victims more than their money. Here's how to recover emotionally from fraud It's also important to note that the leaked login information doesn't span from a single source, such as one breach targeting a company. Instead, it appears that the data was stolen through multiple events over time, and then compiled and briefly exposed publicly, which is when Cybernews reports that its researchers discovered it. Various infostealers are most likely the culprit, Cybernews noted. Infostealers are a form of malicious software that breaches a victim's device or systems to take sensitive information. Many questions remain about these leaked credentials, including whose hands the login credentials are in now. But, as data breaches become more and more common, experts continue to stress the importance of maintaining key 'cyber hygiene.' If you're worried about your account data potentially being exposed in a recent breach, the first thing you can do is change your password – and avoid using the same or similar login credentials on multiple sites. If you find it too hard to memorize all your different passwords, consider a password manager or passkey. And also add multifactor authentication, which can serve as a second layer of verification through your phone, email or USB authenticator key.
CTV News
10 hours ago
- CTV News
Billions of login credentials have been leaked online, Cybernews researchers say
NEW YORK — Researchers at cybersecurity outlet Cybernews say that billions of login credentials have been leaked and compiled into datasets online, giving criminals 'unprecedented access' to accounts consumers use each day. According to a report published this week, Cybernews researchers have recently discovered 30 exposed datasets that each contain a vast amount of login information — amounting to a total of 16 billion compromised credentials. That includes user passwords for a range of popular platforms including Google, Facebook and Apple. Sixteen billion is roughly double the amount of people on Earth today, signaling that impacted consumers may have had credentials for more than one account leaked. Cybernews notes that there are most certainly duplicates in the data and so 'it's impossible to tell how many people or accounts were actually exposed.' It's also important to note that the leaked login information doesn't span from a single source, such as one breach targeting a company. Instead, it appears that the data was stolen through multiple events over time, and then compiled and briefly exposed publicly, which is when Cybernews reports that its researchers discovered it. Various infostealers are most likely the culprit, Cybernews noted. Infostealers are a form of malicious software that breaches a victim's device or systems to take sensitive information. Many questions remain about these leaked credentials, including whose hands the login credentials are in now. But, as data breaches become more and more common in today's world, experts continue to stress the importance of maintaining key 'cyber hygiene.' If you're worried about your account data potentially being exposed in a recent breach, the first thing you can do is change your password — and avoid using the same or similar login credentials on multiple sites. If you find it too hard to memorize all your different passwords, consider a password manager or passkey. And also add multifactor authentication, which can serve as a second layer of verification through your phone, email or USB authenticator key. The Associated Press
