TL;DR: A staggering 16 billion usernameโpassword pairs have just appeared online, giving cyber-criminals a goldmine of logins to exploit. Even if much of the data is recycled, there are signs of fresh 2025 credentialsโso it pays to act now.
If you live in Perth and want expert, patient help securing your digital life, PcRiot is only a phone call away.
What happened?
Researchers uncovered 30 exposed datasets containing roughly 16 billion logins from services such as Google, Facebook, Apple and more. The trove appears to be a compilation of earlier breaches and โinfostealerโ malware logs, but some entries carry 2025 timestamps, hinting at newly compromised accounts.
Why it matters
With such a huge list in criminal hands, automated tools can:
- ๐ Hijack accounts and lock you out
- ๐ธ Make fraudulent purchases or drain wallets
- ๐ง Send convincing phishing emails from your inbox
- ๐ Bypass reused passwords on multiple sites
Five smart moves to protect yourself
- ๐ Change important passwords immediately (email, banking, socials).
- ๐งฉ Use a reputable password manager to generate unique logins.
- ๐ก๏ธ Enable multi-factor authentication (use an authenticator app rather than SMS).
- ๐ Check your email on Have I Been Pwned to see if itโs in known breaches.
- ๐ผ Keep devices clean with up-to-date security software.
Need a hand?
PcRiot offers friendly, on-site help across Perth. We can:
- ๐ ๏ธ Audit your accounts and devices for compromise
- ๐ Set up a password manager and MFA
- ๐ Remove malware or infostealers
- ๐ Provide clear, patient training so you stay in control
Questions? Call Lex at 0451 129 245 or email today.