Massive Data Breach Exposes 16 Billion Login Credentials Worldwide

A massive data breach has exposed over 16 billion login credentials from popular services like Facebook, Google, Telegram, GitHub, and even government platforms. First reported by Cybernews, the exposed data likely stems from info-stealer malware, credential stuffing attacks, and recycled leaks, making it one of the largest credential compilations ever discovered.

Cybernews researchers warn that this isn’t just a typical leak—it’s a roadmap for mass exploitation. With personal data now easily accessible to cybercriminals, risks of account takeovers, identity theft, and targeted phishing attacks are higher than ever.

The leak consists of 30 datasets, each containing up to 3.5 billion records. Most data came from unsecured cloud storage that was briefly exposed online. Although the storage was taken down quickly, it was long enough for hackers to scrape the data.

Info-stealers are malicious software that gather saved browser passwords, cookies, autofill data, and other sensitive information—far beyond what keyloggers typically steal. These tools fuel large-scale breaches like this one, especially when users reuse passwords or avoid strong cybersecurity measures.

Coinbase, another victim of recent cyberattacks, revealed that a breach affected over 69,000 users in December. Hackers even demanded a $20 million Bitcoin ransom—an offer Coinbase refused, instead offering a bounty to catch the perpetrators.

Cybersecurity experts emphasize the importance of using multi-factor authentication (2FA), passkeys, and password managers to reduce vulnerability. Unlike passwords, passkeys are origin-bound and phishing-resistant, and are now supported by tech giants like Apple, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.

While users without strong security are most at risk, those using 2FA and passkeys remain largely protected. Experts stress that proactive cybersecurity practices can drastically minimize the fallout from such breaches.