A recent data breach has exposed 16 billion brand-new login credentials, making it one of the largest breaches ever seen. The breach includes almost entirely new databases, with only one dataset previously reported by Wired. The largest batch contains over 3.5 billion credentials, sourced from Portuguese-speaking populations.
The origin of most of the data is unknown, making it difficult for researchers to provide clear action items to wipe compromised data. Cybersecurity experts warn that this breach serves as a reminder to practice clean internet hygiene and use secure passwords that are changed regularly.
The breach has not yet been named or gained widespread attention, but databases that alert users about their compromised credentials have not yet been updated with the stolen accounts. Large collections of stolen credentials like this one are often used in phishing scams and other attacks.
To stay safe online, experts recommend using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), and keeping data encrypted during storage. Having 2FA enabled whenever possible should be a requirement for financial institutions and companies that make or receive payments by 2025, according to some experts.
Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/cyber-security/16-billion-accounts-exposed-in-one-of-the-largest-data-breaches-in-history-enormous-data-haul-holds-two-accounts-for-every-human-alive