Massive Data Breach: Billions of Login Credentials Exposed Online

Researchers at a cybersecurity outlet have discovered that billions of login credentials have been leaked and compiled into datasets online, giving criminals "unprecedented access" to accounts consumers use daily.

The discovery includes 30 exposed datasets containing a vast amount of login information - amounting to a total of 16 billion compromised credentials. This includes user passwords for popular platforms like Google, Facebook, and Apple.

"It's impossible to tell how many people or accounts were actually exposed," said Cybernews, noting that there are likely duplicates in the data.

The leaked login information doesn't come from a single source, but rather appears to have been stolen through multiple events over time and then compiled before being briefly exposed publicly - which is when Cybernews discovered it.

Various infostealers, a type of malicious software that breaches a victim's device or systems to take sensitive information, are likely the culprit behind the leak.

Experts stress the importance of maintaining good "cyber hygiene" in light of this breach. If you're worried about your account data being exposed, change your password and avoid using the same credentials on multiple sites. Consider a password manager or passkey, and add multifactor authentication for an extra layer of verification.