In a major cybersecurity concern, researchers at the cybersecurity firm Cybernews have revealed that billions of login credentials have been leaked and compiled into an online dataset, granting cybercriminals “unprecedented access” to user accounts used in everyday life.
According to a report published this week, Cybernews researchers discovered 30 separate datasets, each containing vast amounts of login data. In total, more than 16 billion login credentials have been compromised, including those belonging to users of major platforms such as Google, Facebook, and Apple.
The scale of this leak is alarming—it’s nearly double the world’s population, suggesting that many users may have had multiple accounts exposed.
Cybernews emphasized that the breach didn’t stem from a single cyberattack or a specific company being targeted. Instead, the data appears to have been stolen over time through various incidents and later compiled and leaked together.
The report points to “infostealers” as the primary culprits. These are malicious software programs designed to infiltrate devices and extract sensitive information without the victim’s knowledge.
The growing threat highlights the urgent need for stronger digital hygiene, including using two-factor authentication and regularly updating passwords.
