Draft:2025 Global Password Leak
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Submission declined on 19 June 2025 by Pythoncoder (talk).
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Comment: I'm trying to figure out the status of this breach & we might want to monitor as more info comes out, though I am in favor of accepting this AfC soon. Forbes src should be removed per WP:FORBESCON. Guardian and TIME are reliable. Any comments on this: No, the 16 billion credentials leak is not a new data breach? Caleb Stanford (talk) 05:40, 22 June 2025 (UTC)
The 2025 Global Password Data Breach is a cybersecurity incident reported in June 2025. It involved the alleged exposure of over 16 billion unique login credentials, including usernames and passwords. The breach was described by cybersecurity experts as one of the largest data leaks in history. The exposed data may have affected users across various online platforms, including Google, Apple Inc., Facebook, Telegram, GitHub, etc.[1][2][3][4]
Scope
[edit]The incident involved a database containing over 16 billion credentials, reportedly compiled from existing data breaches and newly obtained information. Cybersecurity analysts stated the database was discovered on a dark web forum. The exposed records were reported to include login details for individuals, corporations, and public sector institutions globally.[5][6]
Impact and Mitigations
[edit]Security analysts warned that the compromised credentials could be exploited for various malicious activities, including phishing, identity theft, and credential stuffing. Companies identified in reports as potentially having affected users included Apple, Facebook, Telegram, GitHub and Google.[7]
In response to the breach, governments, private sector entities, and individuals were advised to change their passwords, implement multi-factor authentication, and conduct internal security assessments. Reports also indicated that some virtual private networks and cloud services were indirectly affected.[8][9][10]
Reactions
[edit]The incident raised discussions among cybersecurity researchers about the security of password-based authentication and cloud data storage practices. The exposed login credentials, as reported by tech publications Wired and Mashable, included details to government social media accounts, which raised concerns regarding national security and digital identity.[11][12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "16 billion passwords exposed in unprecedented cyber leak of 2025; experts raise global alarm". The Economic Times. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "16 billion passwords leaked in a massive data breach: What you need to know to protect your Facebook, Instagram, Gmail and other accounts". The Times of India. 2025-06-21. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ Lee, Chantelle (2025-06-20). "Billions of Passwords May Have Been Leaked in Massive Breach". TIME. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ Davis, Erin (2025-06-20). "Google, Apple, Meta Passwords Exposed in Massive Hack: Report". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ "Over 16 billion records leaked in unimaginable major data breach—here's what we know and how you can see if you're safe". TechRadar. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Colossal 16B data breach opens access to Facebook, Google, Apple, and any other service imaginable". Cybernews. 2025-06-18. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
- ^ "Billions of passwords leaked in largest ever data breach". The Independent. 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "Global data breach reportedly hits 16 billion accounts: Google, Apple, VPNs could be affected". Livemint. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Internet users advised to change passwords after 16bn logins exposed". The Guardian. 2025-06-21. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ "Google, Apple, Meta Passwords Exposed in Massive Hack: Report". Entrepreneur. 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ "Mysterious Database Contains Logins from Governments, Social Media". Wired. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "The biggest cybersecurity data breaches of 2025". Mashable. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
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