Massive data breach exposes 184 million passwords
A giant data leak has exposed over 184 million usernames and passwords from sites like Google, Facebook, Apple, Instagram, and Snapchat.
The info—usernames, emails, plain-text passwords, even some banking and health data—was found sitting unprotected online in a huge file.
Database had 0 protection—no password or encryption
Hackers used infostealer malware to collect these details. Shockingly, the database had zero protection—no password or encryption.
Security researcher Jeremiah Fowler confirmed the leak was real by reaching out to affected users.
With this info out there, it's easier for attackers to take over accounts or launch phishing scams.
What to do if your password is compromised
Experts say now's a good time to update your passwords (make them strong and unique), turn on two-factor authentication wherever you can, and use a password manager (just keep its master password safe).
Keep an eye on your accounts for anything weird—and check sites like HaveIBeenPwned to see if your email was caught up in the breach so you can act fast if needed.