Posted on 05/26/2025 9:26:44 AM PDT by Openurmind
Security researcher Jeremiah Fowler stumbled upon a large database of login information and passwords containing over 184 million records recently. He mentioned the discovery in an article on Website Planet.
The data was not encrypted in any form and stored publicly, which meant that anyone with knowledge of its existence could download the data.
The sheer size of the database, more than 47 gigabytes of data, makes it one of the largest leaks in recent history. In early 2024, a 70 million records password dump was discovered.
A preliminary sampling of the data unveiled emails, usernames, passwords, and also links to login or authorization pages. Fowler found login information and passwords for a wide range of services in the dump. Notable products and services include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Microsoft products, Google, Discord, and NHS.
Fowler discovered the database in early May 2025 and reported it to the web hosting company, which blocked public access shortly after to prevent further spreading of the data. He wrote to several of the email accounts found in the database to verify the authenticity of the data and was able to confirm it based on the replies that he received.
(Excerpt) Read more at ghacks.net ...
Malware collection of passwords.
Definitely use trustworthy devices at all times.
Use solid antivirus, and Bitdefender, ESET, Avast, and AVG.
Great site for testing: https://www.av-comparatives.org/awards/
The digital wired and unwired lifestyles hang precariously over the slippery slopes of insecurity and uncertainty.
So tired of changing my password every time I turn around!
Whatever happened to ZoneAlarm?
ZoneAlarm is still out there. I use the free firewall-only version.
We need to stay on top of AV products, as malware efficacy changes, over the years.
I meant to say, “Use solid antivirus, and Bitdefender, ESET, Avast, and AVG are among those to consider.”
> So tired of changing my password every time I turn around!
I have bad news for you.
this will be why I received an unsolicited paypal TFA text with a security code yest. I changed the password immed but wondered what was going on.
I know. It’s always ‘just a matter of time’.
“Trust us! Your data is safe with us!”.
Just great.
When in doubt, doubt everything.
If I ever get something similar to the above, I never click on any. First thing, after doubting, is to check the senders email address. Many times it is obviously not reputable.
Then I go to the website/service/app in question to see if there is an issue.
So how are those music majors working out as Chief Security Officers???
Look at the bright side - we’ll all get free credit monitorig for a year!!
Oh no. Someone might use my Netflix account to watch some old TV shows.
Or it might be used to charge porn to your account which could be used against your credibility in a court of law. Or for extortion purposes...
You haven’t though this through very well yet have you?
Charge my Netflix account? Thats not possible.
“Or it might be used to charge porn to your account which could be used against your credibility in a court of law. Or for extortion purposes...
You haven’t though this through very well yet have you?”
I take it you have never used Netflix.
I am speaking in general about the whole concept. Not Netflix in particular.
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