Technology

Check if your passwords were stolen in huge leak

Published

2 months ago

November 30, 2025

Press Room

Check if your passwords were stolen in huge leak

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If you have not checked your credentials lately, now is the time.

A staggering 1.3 billion unique passwords and 2 billion unique email addresses surfaced online. This event is one of the largest exposures of stolen logins we have seen.

This is not the result of one major breach. Instead, Synthient, a threat intelligence firm, searched the open and dark web for leaked credentials. You may remember the company from its earlier discovery of 183 million exposed email accounts. This time, the scale is far larger.

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AMERICA’S MOST-USED PASSWORD IN 2025 REVEALED

Synthient uncovered a massive collection of stolen passwords and email addresses pulled from both the open and dark web. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Where this huge trove came from

Most of the data comes from credential stuffing lists. Criminals pull these lists from old breaches and use them in new attacks. Synthient went further. Its founder Benjamin Brundage gathered stolen logins from hundreds of hidden sources across the web.

The data includes old passwords from past breaches and fresh passwords stolen by info-stealing malware on infected devices. Synthient partnered with security researcher Troy Hunt, who runs Have I Been Pwned. He verified the dataset and confirmed that it contains new exposures.

To test the data, Hunt started with one of his old email addresses. He already knew it had been added to past credential stuffing lists. When he found it in the new trove, he reached out to trusted Have I Been Pwned users to confirm the findings. Some had never appeared in breaches before, which proved that this leak includes new stolen logins.

183 MILLION EMAIL PASSWORDS LEAKED: CHECK YOURS NOW

Hackers use these stolen logins for credential stuffing attacks that target accounts across multiple sites. (iStock)

How to check if your passwords were stolen

To see if your email was affected,

Visit Have I Been Pwned. It is the first and official source for this newly added dataset.
Enter your email address to find out if your information appears in the leak.
When done, come back here for Step 1 below.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENS ON THE DARK WEB, AND HOW TO STAY SAFE

Verification tests showed that the dataset contains fresh stolen credentials that had never appeared in earlier breaches. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to protect yourself after this massive credential leak

These simple actions strengthen your accounts fast and help you stay ahead of criminals who rely on stolen passwords.

1) Change any exposed passwords immediately

Do not leave a known leaked password in place. Change it right away on every site where you used it. Create a new login that is strong, unique and not similar to your old one. This step cuts off criminals who already have your stolen credentials.

2) Stop reusing passwords across sites

Avoid reusing passwords across sites. Once hackers get a working email and password pair, they try it on other services. This attack method, called credential stuffing, still succeeds because many people recycle the same login. One stolen password should not unlock every account you own.

3) Use a strong password manager

A strong password manager can generate new secure logins for your accounts. It creates long, complex passwords that you do not have to memorize. It also stores them safely so you can sign in quickly without taking risky shortcuts. Many password managers also scan for breaches to see if your current passwords have been exposed.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com

4) Turn on Two-Factor Authentication

Even the strongest password can be exposed. Two-factor authentication adds a second step when you log in. You may enter a code from an authenticator app or tap a physical security key. This extra layer blocks attackers who try to access your account with stolen passwords.

5) Protect your devices from malware and install strong antivirus software

Hackers often steal passwords by infecting your devices. Info-stealing malware hides inside phishing emails and fake downloads. Once installed, it pulls passwords straight from your browser and apps. Protect your phones and computers with strong antivirus software. It can detect and block info-stealing malware before it drains your accounts. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

6) Consider switching to passkeys when possible

If you want better protection, start using passkeys on services that support them. Passkeys use cryptographic keys instead of text passwords. Criminals cannot guess or reuse them. They also stop many phishing attacks because they only work on trusted sites. Think of passkeys as a secure digital lock for your most important accounts.

7) Use a data removal service

Data brokers collect and sell your personal details, which criminals can combine with stolen passwords. A trusted data removal service can help find and remove your information from people-search sites. Reducing your exposed data makes it harder for attackers to target you with convincing scams and account takeovers.

While no service can guarantee total removal, they drastically reduce your digital footprint, making it harder for scammers to cross-reference leaked credentials with public data to impersonate or target you. These services monitor and automatically remove your personal info over time, which gives me peace of mind in today’s threat landscape.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

8) Review your security often

Security is not a one-time task. Check your passwords on a regular schedule and update older logins before they become a problem. Review which accounts have Two-factor authentication turned on and add it where you can. By staying proactive, you stay one step ahead of hackers and limit the damage from future leaks.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Massive leaks like this one highlight how fragile digital security can be. Even when you follow best practices, your information can still land in criminal hands through old breaches, malware or third-party exposures. Taking a proactive approach puts you in a stronger position. Regular checks, secure passwords and strong authentication give you real protection.

With billions of stolen passwords floating around, do you feel ready to check your own and tighten your account security today? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Related Topics:cybercrime Featured Hackers Privacy Security Tech

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Technology

Tenways’ compact e-bike twists and folds to go flat

Published

7 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Press Room

Tenways’ compact e-bike twists and folds to go flat

Tenways just launched its new CGO Compact electric bike in Europe that’s designed to fit into tight spaces like car trunks, apartment hallways, and train compartments.

To achieve this, the CGO Compact is fitted with small 20-inch wheels, folding pedals, and a handlebar fitted with a twistable stem to create a slim, wall-hugging profile. The adjustable steering column and low-step through frame also make it suitable for a wide range of rider heights, so it could be a good shareable e-bike for families. And its MIK HD rear carrier system is good for hauling up to 27kg (almost 60 pounds) around town, with mounting points for additional accessories like a crate or child seat.

Tenways might not be a household name globally, but the Chinese e-bike company headquartered in the Netherlands is making a name for itself in Europe thanks to aggressive pricing, sleek designs, and over 1,500 shops and service centers. And while the CGO Compact’s €1,999 (about $2,365) price tag isn’t cheap, it’s well below the €2,681 average for European e-bikes.

The company does sell e-bikes in the US, but the CGO Compact is only for sale in Europe as of today. It features a 250W rear-hub motor connected to a Gates Carbon belt drive for maintenance-free propulsion. It promises a range of up to 100km from its 500Wh removable battery, but its single-speed drivetrain produces only 45Nm of torque so it’s best suited for relatively flat cities. If your commute does stray from asphalt then the suspension seat post should help absorb bumps. There’s also an integrated torque sensor to ensure the smooth delivery of pedal-assisted power, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes should keep any sudden stops under control.

The CGO Compact lives up to its name regarding size, but it’s not all that lightweight. Stripped down it weighs 19.8kg (almost 44 pounds), or 22.1kg (almost 49 pounds) with all the accessories you’ll want in wet urban environments. That makes it heavier than many full-sized e-bikes, even from Tenways, and less versatile than the excellent 20-inch Brompton G foldable which also weighs less but costs more than twice as much.

Technology

Fox News AI Newsletter: Trump activates ‘tech force’

Published

8 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Press Room

President Donald Trump’s administration is tasking an AI “tech force” to modernize systems. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

– Inside Trump administration’s AI tech force designed to modernize government
– Elon Musk slams Anthropic AI models as ‘misanthropic’ and ‘evil’ in scathing social media post
– AI power players pour cash into competitive primaries as 2026 midterms heat up

‘TECH FORCE’: Inside Trump administration’s AI initiative designed to modernize government – FOX Business reports on the Trump administration’s latest initiative to overhaul federal efficiency, detailing an internal AI “tech force” tasked with modernizing antiquated government systems and streamlining operations.

TECH ALLIANCE: War Department to partner with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT, GenAI for military use – The Department of Defense is reportedly strengthening its technological arsenal through a strategic partnership with OpenAI, aiming to integrate ChatGPT and generative AI capabilities into military operations to maintain a strategic edge.

SCATHING POST: Elon Musk slams Anthropic AI models as ‘misanthropic’ and ‘evil’ – Tech billionaire Elon Musk took to social media to unleash a scathing attack on rival AI firm Anthropic, characterizing their models as “misanthropic” and “evil” in a post that highlights the intensifying ideological rift within Silicon Valley.

Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., during the US-Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

POWER PLAYERS: AI execs pour cash into competitive primaries as 2026 midterms heat up – With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, deep-pocketed investors and executives from the artificial intelligence sector are pouring cash into competitive primaries, hoping to shape the regulatory landscape for the booming technology.

OPINION: AI raises the stakes for national security — here is how to get it right – In this opinion piece, OpenAI’s Chris Lehane argues that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has dramatically raised the stakes for American national security, outlining a strategic framework to ensure the U.S. maintains its dominance without compromising safety.

OPINION: The 2028 election will be a referendum on our future in an AI-dominated world – As technology accelerates, this op-ed contends that the 2028 presidential election will serve as a critical referendum on humanity’s future, forcing voters to decide how the nation should navigate an increasingly AI-dominated world.

Children forming deep emotional connections with AI companions is raising questions among parents. (StockPlanets/Getty Images)

BATTLE FOR DOMINANCE: AI wars begin in new Super Bowl commercials – The battle for artificial intelligence dominance has moved to the advertising stage, as tech giants unleash a wave of new Super Bowl commercials designed to capture the public imagination and assert their position in the “AI wars.”

BOT TO THE FUTURE: Humanoid robots are getting smaller, safer and closer to home – Recent advancements in robotics are making humanoid machines smaller, safer, and more viable for domestic use, suggesting that a future where robots assist with daily household tasks is getting closer to reality.

MOYA’S DEBUT: ‘Warm-skinned’ AI robot with camera eyes is seriously creepy – A new development in robotics featuring “warm skin” and camera eyes has sparked a mix of fascination and unease, with many observers describing the lifelike yet artificial creation as “seriously creepy.”

Moya’s humanlike appearance is intentional, from her warm skin to subtle facial details designed to feel familiar rather than mechanical. (DroidUp)

DIGITAL DANGER: AI companions are reshaping teen emotional bonds – A growing trend of teenagers forming deep emotional connections with AI companions is raising questions among parents and psychologists about the long-term impact of synthetic relationships on social development and mental health.

Subscribe now to get the Fox News Artificial Intelligence Newsletter in your inbox.

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This article was written by Fox News staff.

Technology

A surprise God of War prequel is out on the PS5 right now

Published

19 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Press Room

A surprise God of War prequel is out on the PS5 right now

To close out its February 2026 State of Play presentation, Sony revealed God of War Sons of Sparta, a new prequel 2D side scroller in the God of War franchise, and announced that it’s out right now on PlayStation 5.

”God of War Sons of Sparta is a 2D action platformer with a canon story set in Kratos’ youth during his harsh training at the Agoge alongside his brother Deimos,” Sony says. Over the course of the game, Kratos will “learn deadly skills using his spear and shield, as well as harness powerful divine artifacts known as the Gifts of Olympus to take on a wide array of foes.”

Sony’s Santa Monica Studio collaborated on the game with Mega Cat Studios. It costs $29.99, with a Digital Deluxe version available for $39.99.

Sony also announced that it’s working on a remake of the original God of War trilogy, with TC Carson set to return as the voice of Kratos. However, the project is “still very early in development, so we ask for your patience as it will be a while before anything else can be shared,” according to Sony. “When we can come back with an update, we aim to make it a big one!”