| **Source:** Emily Price, PCMagAre you using the same password across multiple websites? It’s crucial to rethink your strategy immediately. **What Happened?**
Researchers at Cybernews have discovered an alarming data breach featuring nearly 10 billion passwords, leaked in what is being called the “largest password compilation” ever. The file, named rockyou2024.txt, includes a staggering 9,948,575,739 unique plaintext passwords and was posted on a popular hacking forum on July 4. Cybernews indicates that this file is a mix of passwords from both old and new data breaches, substantially heightening the risk of what’s known as credential stuffing attacks. **Why It Matters:**
Credential stuffing is when hackers use passwords obtained from one breach to attempt to access accounts on unrelated services. For example, a password from an AT&T breach could be used to try to log in to your bank account. With nearly 10 billion passwords out in the open, the risk to your personal and financial information is significant. **What You Should Do:**
1. **Check Your Passwords**: Visit Cybernews’ Leaked Password Checker to see if any of your passwords have been compromised. If you find any matches, change them immediately. 2. **Strengthen Your Security**: Create strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using the same password across multiple sites. 3. **Enable Multi-Factor Authentication**: Whenever possible, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security. 4. **Use a Password Manager**: A password manager can help you generate and keep track of strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. Do not wait until it’s too late. Take action now to protect your accounts and personal information. Stay safe online! For More Information and Resources:
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