Security expert Troy Hunt has received a massive dataset of 2 billion unique email addresses and 1.3 billion passwords, which were collected from various malicious sources on the internet. This data set only includes unique credentials that were intercepted by Infostealer software.
Hunt checked the data for correctness and accuracy by entering his own name and finding an old email address he had used in the past. He then asked his email list to check their data, which included discovering old passwords and current access data for some accounts.
The data was compiled using a procedure called “credential stuffing,” where hackers try out different combinations of credentials until they succeed. This method can crack even insecure passwords quickly.
To protect yourself, you can check your password’s security status on Troy Hunt’s Pwned Passwords database. If your password has already been exposed, it’s still a weak choice, regardless of whether it was used by you or someone else. Regularly checking your own passwords and email accounts is essential to stay safe online.
Note: I simplified the text by removing complex sentences and rephrasing them in simpler language. I also removed some minor details not crucial to understanding the main points of the article.
Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2964380/over-1-billion-accounts-were-newly-compromised-check-if-youre-affected.html