Massive data leak exposes billions of logins, including Apple accounts

A huge security breach, called one of the biggest ever, has exposed 16 billion login details, including Apple accounts, researchers say. This massive data leak, found by security experts, includes usernames and passwords for many online services, putting users at risk of account hijacking, identity theft, and targeted scams. The breach involves 30 datasets, each holding millions to billions of records, discovered unprotected online.

One dataset, previously reported with 184 million records, was just a small part of this larger leak. The stolen data likely comes from malware that quietly collects login details from infected devices, not from direct hacks of companies like Apple or Google. This makes it harder to know exactly how many unique users are affected due to overlapping records.

Apple accounts, now called Apple IDs, are among those exposed, giving criminals potential access to sensitive information like emails, photos, and payment details stored in iCloud. Other services like Facebook and Google are also impacted. Experts urge users to act fast to protect themselves.

To stay safe, change your passwords immediately, use strong and unique ones, and enable two-factor authentication on all accounts. Avoid clicking suspicious links in emails or texts, and download apps only from trusted sources like the App Store. Regularly check your accounts for unusual activity and consider using a password manager for better security.