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Massive cybersecurity breach exposes 16 billion credentials from tech giants like Apple, Google, and Facebook

What experts are calling the largest data leak in history, cybersecurity researchers from Cybernews have revealed that over 16 billion login credentials have been exposed in a sweeping breach involving major platforms including Apple, Google, Facebook, and even government services

Newsroom June 20 02:10

The breach, disclosed on Thursday and reported by Forbes, has triggered global cybersecurity alerts due to the comprehensive nature of the leaked data—full login credentials granting direct access to a vast range of online services.

Google has urgently advised billions of users to change their passwords, while the FBI has warned U.S. citizens to avoid engaging with suspicious SMS messages containing potential phishing links. Investigators have uncovered 30 datasets, 29 of which appear to be previously unpublished, indicating that this is not recycled material from old breaches but fresh, highly exploitable information.

“This isn’t a leak—it’s a roadmap for exploitation,” experts warned. The credentials were packaged as hyperlinks accompanied by login details, granting unauthorized access not only to tech platforms like GitHub and Telegram but also to sensitive government portals. Though the data was only briefly accessible online, that window was enough for it to be copied and distributed.

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The breach is believed to stem from multiple infostealers—malicious software designed to extract user data—but the scope of affected accounts remains unclear. Darren Guccione, CEO of Keeper Security, stressed the importance of vigilance, noting this leak highlights how easily sensitive data can be unintentionally exposed in misconfigured cloud environments.

Cybersecurity professionals recommend using robust password managers, avoiding credential reuse, and enabling multi-factor authentication wherever possible. As Javvad Malik of KnowBe4 put it, “Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Organizations must secure user data, but individuals must also stay alert and make wise choices online.”

The incident underscores the urgent need for global digital hygiene and reinforces how exposed even the most trusted digital infrastructures remain in today’s hyper-connected world.

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