16 Billion Passwords Leak in Largest Breach Ever—Apple, Google, Facebook Users at Risk

• Over 16 billion credentials leaked, affecting Apple, Google, Facebook, and more.
• Breach includes recent data from infostealer malware, not old leaks.
• Users should change passwords and enable two-factor authentication immediately.

In what security researchers are calling the largest data breach in history, a massive compilation of 16 billion stolen usernames and passwords has been uncovered in a series of exposed databases. These collections include logins tied to Apple, Google, Facebook, GitHub, Telegram, VPNs, and even government services. 

Each database ranged from tens of millions to over 3.5 billion entries, with the average containing 550 million records. New sets of credentials continue to emerge, signaling a persistent and growing threat.

Researchers warn that this breach isn’t a rehash of old leaks. Instead, it contains fresh, active data gathered recently through infostealer malware. These tools automatically collect credentials from infected devices, including tokens, cookies, and metadata. That makes the breach especially dangerous for users lacking multi-factor authentication.

Weapon for cybercrime: credential stuffing and phishing

The sheer scale of this leak provides cybercriminals with a powerful weapon for automated attacks. The primary threat is “credential stuffing,” where attackers use bots to test the 16 billion stolen login combinations across hundreds of different websites.

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Because studies show over 80% of users reuse passwords, a successful login on one site often provides the keys to many others.

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The situation becomes worse for crypto users. With email‑based recovery and password‑protected wallets, attackers could hijack access to custodial wallet services or steal seed‑phrase backups stored in the cloud.

Protect yourself now: change passwords and enable MFA

Cybersecurity experts are urging all users to take immediate action to mitigate their risk. The guidance is clear and direct:

1. Change Your Passwords Now: Prioritize your most critical accounts, especially email (Apple, Google) and major social media (Facebook). Do not reuse passwords. Every critical service needs a unique, strong password.
2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This is the single most effective defense against credential stuffing. Enable 2FA or, where available, switch to more secure passkey logins, which platforms like Google are actively promoting.
3. Use a Password Manager: Adopt a reputable password manager to generate and store complex, random passwords for each of your accounts.
4. Check for Exposure: Use trusted services like “Have I Been Pwned?” to check if your email addresses have appeared in this or other known data breaches.

This leak is not a routine event; it is a systemic threat to digital security. Experts warn that the availability of 16 billion active credentials gives cybercriminals a blueprint for exploitation on a scale never seen before.