Cyber security expert: 16 billion passwords have leaked through

Image: © AFP/File

The message that is transmitted on the Internet is: “Change your passwords now!”

Several large registration and password details from Apple, Facebook, Google, Github, Telegram and other popular platforms and government services have appeared online. Together they form one of the largest trimmed data records on the Internet and a total of around 16 billion exposed login information.

According to researchers from cybernews who have examined these data records and leaks, the data will most likely come from various information valleys, registration information filling rates and reversed leaks. However, there is no way to check how much data is really clear. The data records differ greatly from size, geography and language. For example, one of the largest sets seems to be related to the Portuguese -speaking population with around 3.5 billion records.

Ignas Valancius, head of engineer at the Cybersecurity Company Nordpass, tells Digital Journal Readers to be careful:

“Users have to be particularly careful, since information in the trimmed data sets open the door for pretty much every online service, from Facebook and Google to Github and Telegram. Some government platforms have also been compromised.”

With regard to what to do, Valancius says: “I recommend changing passwords directly in front of the threat actors who browse around in their accounts.

This is due to this essential risk: “If Hacker manages to get your password for Google, Apple or Facebook into your hands, it can be easier to steal your money and identity than to take sweets from a three -year -old.”

Valancius warns that real cases are reported: “And I am sure that such cases will occur. The problem is – the people reuse passwords. Up to 62% of the Americans, 60% of the British and 50% of Germans, to do this in several online accounts, show our survey. People who change passwords immediately, should all of their passwords that are not only leaked through.” “, Not just those who have been solved.” “

However, there are tests that can be carried out: “To check whether the login information of your company is leaked through, you can use our online tool for free Dark web monitoring or our password manager with its integrated authenticator and registration cards and credit card surveillance tools.”

There is still something that you have to pay attention to, warns Valancius: “I want to draw your attention to another thing. After great data leaks, the attacks in social engineering tend to intensify at least for a while. Violations like this will probably expose many people to social engineering attacks. So we should all be a bit more suspicious.”

In addition, says Valancius: “Be careful with unwanted e -mails and messages, even if you apparently come from Google, your bank or even from the police. If you receive such messages, be extremely careful because links to pages that steal more from your data.

To maintain security: “Go directly to this website, organization or agency, register there (or contact you directly by phone) and check whether the message is real. Do not click on the left and do not indicate your data to unknown people you call.”

Valancius also advises: “And don't be afraid. Do not keep yourself calm.

With regard to other remedial measures, Valancius advises: “I also recommend that you switch on multi-factor authentication. All-of-person confirmation by email or telephone, physical security key or biometric confirmation-better than a password alone. In such cases, passwords from digital gatekeepers can expire, MFA can be saving grace.

“Use passkeys wherever possible.