150 million passwords of various platforms including Gmail, Facebook and Netflix leaked, here's how to protect your account
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): If you use services like Gmail, Facebook, Instagram or Netflix, then this news is very important for you. The biggest breach in the digital world has come to light, in which about 14.9 crore (149 million) unique IDs and passwords have been leaked. The matter of concern is that this personal data of crores of users was openly available on the internet without any password or security. According to the report of WIRED, renowned security analyst Jeremiah Fowler has discovered this huge database, which includes data related to almost every major online platform of the world.
From Gmail to Netflix, everything is at risk
The statistics revealed in Fowler's report are shocking. Email accounts constitute the largest share of the leaked data. According to the report, data from approximately 48 million Gmail accounts, 4 million Yahoo accounts, and 1.5 million Outlook accounts are at risk. Social media platforms have also been significantly impacted, with information from 17 million Facebook accounts, 6.5 million Instagram accounts, and approximately 780,000 TikTok accounts leaked. Entertainment apps are also not immune; the login and passwords of 3.4 million Netflix accounts, as well as data from platforms like Disney Plus, HBO Max, and Roblox, are included. Furthermore, login details from 420,000 financial and government accounts are also part of the leak.
Dangerous malware has committed this major theft
A malware called "InfoStealer" is said to be behind this massive data leak. Fowler explained that this is a highly dangerous software designed to silently infiltrate users' devices. It works in the background and steals users' login details and passwords. An interesting aspect revealed in the report is that cybercriminals store stolen data in the cloud, and due to a security lapse, the hackers' stolen database itself was leaked.
How to keep your account safe from hackers
After such major leaks, strengthening your digital security has become extremely important. Experts recommend that users change their passwords immediately. Use a unique password for each platform, at least 12 to 16 characters long. Additionally, to further strengthen security, be sure to use the "two-step verification" (2SV) feature. This feature is available on almost all major platforms. After entering your password, no one will be able to log into your account without the OTP received on your mobile or email.