Data breach of 184 million users including Apple and Google
Data from 184 million accounts belonging to major companies like Apple, PayPal, and Google was leaked online. The exposed database was discovered by American cybersecurity expert Jeremiah Fowler in early May, according to a report by Wired.
It was found that the database contains login information including usernames and passwords, and its size reaches 47 gigabytes.
The dangerous thing is that this data is not limited to private companies only, but also includes login information for government services from at least 29 countries, raising concerns about broader threats on a global level.
So far, the identity of the entity behind this major leak remains completely unknown, and the owner of the database or its source has not been identified. Fowler suggests that the data may have been collected using malicious software, describing the discovery as "the strangest thing he has encountered in his career," and added, "this list represents the dream of any cybercriminal."
The affected services include: Apple, Amazon, Discord, Facebook, Google, Instagram, Microsoft, PayPal, Snapchat, Twitter, WordPress, and Yahoo. Login data for government portals, banks, and financial companies in several countries was also found.
Experts strongly advise users to change their passwords immediately and monitor their accounts on these platforms for any suspicious activity. This monitoring includes emails, banking apps, and social media accounts, in anticipation of any changes not made by the user themselves.