16 Billion Passwords Leaked From Facebook, Apple Google And Others - What to do to keep safe

Cybersecurity researchers from Cybernews have uncovered what may be the largest data breach in history, with 16 billion login credentials exposed across 30 datasets.

These include usernames, passwords, and URLs for major platforms like Apple, Google, Facebook, GitHub, Telegram, and various government services.

The data, largely collected by infostealer malware, is described as fresh and highly dangerous, enabling phishing, account takeovers, and other cyberattacks.

One previously reported dataset contained 184 million records, but the scale of this breach is unprecedented.

Here’s what to do to protect yourself.

Change Passwords Immediately: Update passwords for critical accounts (email, banking, social media, etc.). Use strong, unique passwords for each service—avoid reusing old ones or simple variations.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security. This can prevent unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised.

Use a Password Manager: Tools like Keeper Security or Apple’s password app can generate and store complex, unique passwords, reducing the risk of reuse.

Check for Breaches: Use services like Have I Been Pwned to see if your email or passwords have been exposed.

Be Vigilant Against Phishing: Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. Manually type URLs into your browser to access accounts.

Update Software and Antivirus: Ensure your devices and antivirus software are up to date to protect against malware exploits.

Consider Passkeys: Where available, adopt passkeys (supported by Google and Apple) for more secure, phishing-resistant authentication.

Monitor Accounts: Regularly check financial and other sensitive accounts for suspicious activity. Enable alerts for login attempts if offered.