Largest Data Breach in History: *16 Billion* Login Credentials Exposed in Databases

[Tall Timbers]

Security researchers have uncovered potentially the largest data breach in history, comprising an astounding 16 billion login credentials, which include Apple accounts. Two factor Identification is probably a good idea.

9to5Mac reports that a team of security researchers has stumbled upon a massive trove of stolen login credentials, exposing an unprecedented 16 billion records, including Apple accounts. The discovery, which researchers describe as “one of the largest data breaches in history,” has sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity community and raised serious concerns about the potential for widespread account takeovers, identity theft, and highly targeted phishing attacks.

The implications of this breach are far-reaching and deeply concerning. With access to such a vast number of login credentials, cybercriminals can easily carry out account takeovers, steal identities, and launch highly targeted phishing campaigns. Apple accounts, which are among the exposed credentials, are particularly worrisome, as they can be used to access a wide range of sensitive information and services, including iCloud, Apple Pay, and the App Store. Other logins reportedly included in the massive datasets include Google, Facebook, instagram, Amazon, and many other popular web services.

Largest Data Breach in History: *16 Billion* Login Credentials Exposed in Databases

Security researchers have uncovered potentially the largest data breach in history, comprising an astounding 16 billion login credentials, which include Apple accounts.

www.breitbart.com

No need to panic, your security data has probably already been exposed several times. It would be a good idea to change banking passwords and passwords at places where you've stored credit card data.

 

[Margery]

I'm working on what I call "the password project"- I finally finished my portable file box grab and go project and this was on my to do list to tackle next.

Last pass was recommended to me by our son the computer guy. I'm focused on developing a pass phrase for it, then using last pass to generate some serious passwords in each site I go to. I will only have to remember that one initial pass phrase and Last Pass can look after all the rest.

At least that is my hope. I am SO NOT a computer person. I gave birth to one thankfully. But it's the thing I'm weakest at, and I seriously hate computer problems. People who take advantage like this, and become cyber criminals are such scumbags!

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Wish they would reveal which databases.

Wonder if it's one or both of the outside login companies the VA just made us switch to (instead of keeping everything in-house)

 

[Hol]

I’m grateful for the heads up.

I am not going to enjoy this project.

I haven’t used the computer generated passwords often. When I have used those I use the option ‘remember this password’ and that seems unproductive.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Last pass was recommended to me by our son the computer guy. I'm focused on developing a pass phrase for it, then using last pass to generate some serious passwords in each site I go to.

I'm not a proponent of using 3rd party companies to store login credentials. If they're operating on the web then their data (your login credentials) is vulnerable too.

I keep my login credentials in an encrypted spreadsheet file on my computer. I only need to remember the password to that file.

I also don't store my data files in a 3rd party cloud.

I currently use paid bitdefender to help protect all my devices from intrusion and VPN for protection in public connections and for privacy.

Younger generations grew up storing data in the cloud and think nothing of it... until affiliation with an organization ends and they can no longer access their data in that particular sub-cloud, and that data is lost to them forever.

 

[Margery]

I'm not a proponent of using 3rd party companies to store login credentials. If they're operating on the web then their data (your login credentials) is vulnerable too.

I keep my login credentials in an encrypted spreadsheet file on my computer. I only need to remember the password to that file.

I also don't store my data files in a 3rd party cloud.

I currently use paid bitdefender to help protect all my devices from intrusion and VPN for protection in public connections and for privacy.

Younger generations grew up storing data in the cloud and think nothing of it... until affiliation with an organization ends and they can no longer access their data in that particular sub-cloud, and that data is lost to them forever.

Good point.

I will have to ask him how I'd go about doing an encrypted spreadsheet file or if I should continue with pencil and paper the way I was, because he and his sister are the ones who will need to get into all this if I die or become incapacitated.

I don't want them to have to sweat the details if I forget one password like what happened with George because that one password was the one to get into the apple devices. Which included a vital laptop.

But I also want to stay safe in an increasingly complex and dangerous world with cyber criminals all too ready to steal identity or title to property or bank accounts.

So I'll have to figure out a good risk benefit assessment of each option.

Whatever I do, it has to pass the "grab and go" test. Can I easily grab it and make it out the door in a fire evacuation that might be 15 minutes or less warning, no time to go back up to the apartment, everything has to be in the file box, or in my small suitcase.

Hasn't happened to me here, but back in Prince George (BC) when the kids were elementary school aged that taught me a sharp lesson in being prepared. And surrounding areas even within Kamloops have faced that same thing. One year the evacuation line was just above us. So it's something that's always in the back of my mind.

 

[Tall Timbers]

I will have to ask him how I'd go about doing an encrypted spreadsheet file or if I should continue with pencil and paper the way I was, because he and his sister are the ones who will need to get into all this if I die or become incapacitated.

I use the spreadsheet that comes with Canada's Word Perfect software suite. Quattro Pro. It's pretty easy to create a password with that.... I imagine just about every spread sheet program offers that option.

I've given all of my kids key passwords so stuff can be accessed and they all know the pin I use for everything, and I keep one kid updated with all my financial accounts and important passwords.

 

[Margery]

I use the spreadsheet that comes with Canada's Word Perfect software suite. Quattro Pro. It's pretty easy to create a password with that.... I imagine just about every spread sheet program offers that option.

I've given all of my kids key passwords so stuff can be accessed and they all know the pin I use for everything, and I keep one kid updated with all my financial accounts and important passwords.

That sounds "do-able"! Thanks. I think that would fit the bill. I could put the key passwords in the grab and go box and keep a copy on file with the kids. I have everything on the computer backed up onto the cloud though- does that matter- will the encryption work for those files because everything on the computer is backed up in case of fire evacuation.

 

[Tall Timbers]

That sounds "do-able"! Thanks. I think that would fit the bill. I could put the key passwords in the grab and go box and keep a copy on file with the kids. I have everything on the computer backed up onto the cloud though- does that matter- will the encryption work for those files because everything on the computer is backed up in case of fire evacuation.

I'm not a good person when it comes to giving recommendations for cloud related stuff because I don't believe anything at all is safe on the cloud. I make a point of ensuring I have almost nothing floating around out there...

If it works for you, you'll probably be okay. I have three different things I could grab on the way out if my house was on fire. A laptop, a portable USB drive, or my NAS drive, all of which have the latest copy of my data on them. I back up my stuff to both the NAS drive and the portable USB drive and not the cloud.

The benefit the cloud offers that I don't have is it is offsite from your other stuff so would survive. There's just a little more risk with the cloud... but there is some risk with every option.

 

[mattfivefour]

I also don't store my data files in a 3rd party cloud.

I currently use paid bitdefender to help protect all my devices from intrusion and VPN for protection in public connections and for privacy.

Same with me.

 

[Andiamo]

I still use an index card box for all my passwords. I hide it in the house when we go out of town. Yes, really. I know.

 

[Eric Nicholas]

I've had the same password I've used since I was 13 and it's tied the first email address that I ever had and still have to this day.

 

[Tall Timbers]

I still use an index card box for all my passwords. I hide it in the house when we go out of town. Yes, really. I know.

Um, so where do you hide it? I'm just curious, that's all...

 

[Tall Timbers]

I've had the same password I've used since I was 13 and it's tied the first email address that I ever had and still have to this day.

My first internet account was via IBM. I didn't want to mess with AOL or anything like it, which was the "thing" back then. I don't remember what my email address was. So what was your first password?

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

That sounds "do-able"! Thanks. I think that would fit the bill. I could put the key passwords in the grab and go box and keep a copy on file with the kids. I have everything on the computer backed up onto the cloud though- does that matter- will the encryption work for those files because everything on the computer is backed up in case of fire evacuation.

I use Carbonite for off-site back-up, and have done so for well over 10 years. It automatically backs up my computer when I'm on the net and if something happens to my computer, I can recover my data. It's an unlimited personal account, and it's saved my butt multiple times. I can also access my data from another computer someplace else if I need something, but don't have my computer with me, or it's not on a USB drive that's with me. That's been very helpful, as well.

I have USB with e-portfolio and current resume, another USB with the most important stuff from my computer, and an administrative USB, with a couple more of the last elsewhere.

I will have to ask him how I'd go about doing an encrypted spreadsheet file or if I should continue with pencil and paper the way I was, because he and his sister are the ones who will need to get into all this if I die or become incapacitated.

I think I'd keep on doing the stubby pencil system because it works and you're comfortable with it.

If your family wants the spreadsheet method, you could add it.

The advantage is if you mess up the spreadsheet, or something happens to the computer so the spreadsheet isn't available, you still have everything hard-copy.

 

[mattfivefour]

I'm not a good person when it comes to giving recommendations for cloud related stuff because I don't believe anything at all is safe on the cloud. I make a point of ensuring I have almost nothing floating around out there...

I'm with you 100 percent on this, brother.