Key Takeaways
- A massive 1.3 billion password and 2 billion email address compilation is circulating online.
- The data was aggregated from years of previous breaches, not a new hack.
- You can check if your password is exposed using the free ‘Have I Been Pwned’ tool.
- Security experts urge immediate password changes for any compromised credentials.
A newly compiled database containing 1.3 billion passwords and 2 billion associated email addresses is being shared across the internet, posing a significant threat to user accounts globally. Security researchers confirm this massive collection was assembled from numerous past data breaches and credential-stuffing lists traded by cybercriminals over many years.
Threat intelligence firm Synthient scanned multiple sources to create this compilation, building on its previous discovery of over 180 million leaked email accounts. The company collaborated with Troy Hunt, creator of the popular data breach monitoring service ‘Have I Been Pwned’, to verify the dataset’s authenticity.
Hunt tested the data using one of his old email addresses and confirmed that known stolen passwords matched entries in the new collection.
How to Check if Your Password is Exposed
The exposed passwords have been added to the ‘Pwned Passwords’ service on Have I Been Pwned. This free tool allows you to check your passwords securely without revealing them, as the entire verification process happens locally in your browser.
If you discover any of your current passwords in the leak, change them immediately. Consider using password managers like , LastPass, or Proton Pass, which offer built-in tools to generate strong, unique replacements.
Essential Steps to Protect Your Accounts
Security experts emphasize these critical protective measures:
- Avoid password reuse across different websites and services
- Create strong, unique passwords for every account
- Enable two-factor authentication wherever available
- Use reliable antivirus software to prevent malware from capturing login details
- Consider passkeys as a more secure password alternative that resists phishing
Maintaining strong digital hygiene and regularly checking your credentials against known breaches can help you stay protected against evolving cyber threats.
