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183 million email passwords leaked: Check yours now

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183 million email passwords leaked: Check yours now

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A massive online leak has exposed more than 183 million stolen email passwords gathered from years of malware infections, phishing campaigns and older data breaches. Cybersecurity experts say it is one of the largest compilations of stolen credentials ever discovered.

Security researcher Troy Hunt, who runs the website Have I Been Pwned, found the 3.5-terabyte dataset online. The credentials came from infostealer malware and credential stuffing lists. This malware secretly collects usernames, passwords and website logins from infected devices.

Researchers say the data contains both old and newly discovered credentials. Hunt confirmed that 91% of the data had appeared in previous breaches, but about 16.4 million email addresses were completely new to any known dataset.

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DISCORD CONFIRMS VENDOR BREACH EXPOSED USER IDS IN RANSOM PLOT

Cyber experts uncovered a 3.5-terabyte data dump containing millions of stolen logins. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The real risk behind the password leak

The leak puts millions of users at risk. Hackers often collect stolen logins from multiple sources and combine them into large databases that circulate on dark web forums, Telegram channels and Discord servers.

If you have reused passwords across multiple sites, attackers can use this data to break into your accounts through credential stuffing. This method tests stolen username and password pairs on many different platforms.

The risk remains real for anyone using old or repeated credentials. One compromised password can unlock social media, banking and cloud accounts.

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GOOGLE CONFIRMS DATA STOLEN IN BREACH BY KNOWN HACKER GROUP

Researcher Troy Hunt traced the leak to malware that secretly steals passwords from infected devices. (Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Google responds to the reports

Google confirmed there was no Gmail data breach. In a post on X, the company stated “reports of a Gmail security breach impacting millions of users are false. Gmail’s defenses are strong, and users remain protected.”

Google clarified that the leak came from infostealer databases that compile years of stolen credentials from across the web. These databases are often mistaken for new breaches when, in fact, they represent ongoing theft activity. Troy Hunt also confirmed the dataset originated from Synthient’s collection of infostealer logs, not from a single platform or recent attack. While no new breach occurred, experts warn that leaked credentials remain dangerous because cybercriminals reuse them for future attacks.

How to check if you were exposed

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 Synthient leak.

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Many password managers also include built-in breach scanners that use the same data sources. However, they may not yet include this new collection until their databases update.

If your address shows up, treat it as compromised. Change your passwords immediately and turn on stronger security features to protect your accounts.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY DATA BREACH HITS 870,000 PEOPLE

The 183 million exposed credentials came from malware, phishing and old data breaches. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

9 steps to protect yourself now

Protecting your online life starts with consistent action. Each step below adds another layer of defense against hackers, malware and credential theft.

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1) Change your passwords immediately

Start with your most important accounts, such as email and banking. Use strong, unique passwords with letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid predictable choices like names or birthdays. 

Never reuse passwords. One stolen password can unlock multiple accounts. Each login should be unique to protect your data.

A password manager makes this simple. It stores complex passwords securely and helps you create new ones. Many managers also scan for breaches to see if your current passwords have been exposed.

Next, check whether your email has been caught in a recent credential leak. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in Breach Scanner that searches trusted databases, including the newly added Synthient data from Have I Been Pwned. It helps you find out if your email or passwords have appeared in any known leaks. If you see a match, change any reused passwords right away and secure those accounts with strong, unique credentials.

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

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2) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Turn on 2FA wherever possible. It adds a powerful second layer of defense that blocks intruders even if they have your password. You will receive a code by text, app or security key. That code ensures only you can log in to your accounts.

3) Use an identity theft service for continuous monitoring

Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number (SSN), phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. It’s a smart way to stay one step ahead of hackers.

See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.

4) Protect your devices with strong antivirus software 

Infostealer malware hides inside fake downloads and phishing attachments. A strong antivirus software scans your devices to stop threats before they spread. Keep your antivirus updated and run frequent scans. Even one unprotected device can put your whole digital life at risk.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

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

5) Avoid saving logins in your web browser

Browsers are convenient but risky. Infostealer malware often targets saved passwords in your web browser. 

6) Keep software updated

Updates fix security flaws that hackers exploit. Turn on automatic updates for your operating system, antivirus and apps. Staying current keeps threats out. 

7) Download only from trusted sources

Avoid unknown websites that offer free downloads. Fake apps and files often contain hidden malware. Use official app stores or verified company websites. 

8) Review your account activity often

Check your accounts regularly for unusual logins or device connections. Many platforms show a login history. If something looks off, change your password and enable 2FA immediately.

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9) Consider a personal data removal service

The massive leak of 183 million credentials shows just how far your personal information can spread and how easily it can resurface years later in aggregated hacker databases. Even if your passwords were part of an old breach, data like your name, email, phone number or address may still be available through data broker sites. Personal data removal services can help reduce your exposure by scrubbing this information from hundreds of these sites.

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.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

This leak highlights the ongoing danger of malware and password reuse. Prevention remains the best defense. Use unique passwords, enable 2FA and stay alert to keep your data safe. Visit Have I Been Pwned today to check your email and take action. The faster you respond, the better you protect your identity.

Have you ever discovered your data in a breach? What did you do next? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.   

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

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Technology

YouTube’s mobile app finally lets you share timestamped videos

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YouTube’s mobile app finally lets you share timestamped videos

YouTube is making some changes that might affect how you share videos from the mobile app. From the app, you can finally share videos from a specific timestamp, which will make it easier to point someone to a part of a video you might want them to see while you’re on your phone. However, this change will replace the Clips feature that lets you make a shareable clip from a video.

You’ll still be able to watch any Clips that you’ve already made. But moving forward, “the ability to set an end time or include a custom description when sharing will no longer be available,” YouTube says. The company notes that while clipping is “important way for creators to reach new audiences,” it says that “a number of third-party tools with advanced clipping features and authorized creator programs are now available to do this across different video platforms.”

The company originally introduced the Clips feature in 2021.

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Meta employee accused of accessing private images

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Meta employee accused of accessing private images

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When you upload a photo to Facebook, you expect it to stay private unless you decide otherwise. That expectation just took a hit after a former employee of Meta was accused of accessing thousands of private images.

According to details confirmed by the company, the London-based employee allegedly created a program to bypass internal safeguards. Investigators say this may have allowed access to about 30,000 private Facebook images that were not meant to be viewed.

The individual is now under criminal investigation and is out on bail as authorities continue to review the case. Here’s how investigators say the access may have happened.

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  • Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

META SMART GLASSES PRIVACY CONCERNS GROW
 

A former Meta employee is accused of accessing thousands of private Facebook images, raising new concerns about how user data is protected. (Fabian Sommer/picture alliance via Getty Images)

How the Meta employee allegedly accessed private images

Authorities believe the employee may have written a script to get around Meta’s internal detection systems. In simple terms, the system that should flag unusual behavior may not have caught the activity right away. This detail matters because large tech platforms rely on monitoring tools to detect suspicious access patterns. When those checks are bypassed, it raises questions about how internal access is controlled. 

The investigation is being handled by the cybercrime unit of the Metropolitan Police in London. At the same time, security experts often point out that insider threats are difficult to eliminate. Even strong systems can be tested when someone inside the company misuses access.

What Meta says about the employee investigation

Meta says it discovered the improper access more than a year ago and took action after identifying the issue. 

“Protecting user data is our top priority,” a Meta spokesperson told CyberGuy. “After discovering improper access by an employee over a year ago, we immediately terminated the individual, notified users, referred the matter to law enforcement and enhanced our security measures. We are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.”

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Legal risks in the Meta private images case

Data protection experts say cases like this often come down to both intent and safeguards. If an employee accesses personal data without authorization, that can lead to criminal charges under data protection and computer misuse laws. However, the company’s responsibility depends on the protections it had in place. If proper safeguards existed, the focus usually remains on the individual. 

If not, regulators may consider penalties or legal claims against the company. The Information Commissioner’s Office, the U.K.’s data privacy watchdog, has acknowledged the incident. The agency stressed that social media users should be able to trust how their personal information is handled. 

Why the Meta investigation is drawing attention now

This case is unfolding at a time when scrutiny of major tech platforms is already high. Recent legal challenges have raised broader concerns about how companies protect users and manage risk. That context adds weight to this investigation. It reflects a larger conversation about privacy and accountability in the tech industry. As more people rely on digital platforms, expectations of data protection continue to rise. Incidents like this tend to reinforce those concerns.

META REPORTEDLY BUILDING AN AI VERSION OF MARK ZUCKERBERG TO INTERACT WITH COMPANY EMPLOYEES

Mark Zuckerberg walks through the U.S. Capitol after a meeting on March 26, 2026. Investigators in London say a former Meta employee may have used a script to bypass safeguards and view about 30,000 private Facebook images. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

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Simple ways to protect your private photos

Even though this case involves an insider, there are still simple steps you can take to better protect your photos and limit who can see them.

1) Check your Facebook privacy settings

You cannot control what happens inside a company, but you can limit how much of your personal content is exposed. Start by reviewing your Facebook privacy settings.

(Settings may vary depending on device and app version)

Mobile (iPhone/Android):
Facebook: MenuSettings & privacy > Settings > Audience and visibilityPostsWho can see your future posts > select Friends (or a custom audience) > Save

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: Profile picture (top right) > Settings & privacySettingsAudience and visibility section > PostsWho can see your future posts > select Friends (or a custom audience) > Done

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2) Review older photos and albums

Next, go through older photos and albums. Many people forget that photos shared years ago may still be visible under outdated settings.

(Settings may vary depending on device and app version)

Mobile (iPhone/Android):
Facebook: MenuSettings & privacySettingsAudience and visibilityPostsLimit who can see past postsLimit who can see past postsLimit past posts > confirm

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: Profile pictureSettings & privacySettingsAudience and visibility  section > Posts > Limit who can see past posts > Limit past posts > confirm

And check individual albums:

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Mobile (iPhone/Android):
Facebook: Go to your profilePhotosAlbums > select an album > tap Edit (top right) > Who can see this? > choose who can see it > Done

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: click your name on the left > Photos > Albums > select an album > click the three dots > Edit album > choose who can see it > Done

Not all albums can be changed, and some system albums have limited privacy options. 

3) Be careful what you upload

It also helps to limit what you upload in the first place. Sensitive images, documents or anything you would not want widely seen may be better kept off social platforms entirely.

META AI EDITS YOUR CAMERA ROLL FOR BETTER FACEBOOK POSTS
 

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Authorities are investigating whether a former Meta employee improperly accessed private Facebook photos that users never intended to share. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

4) Turn on account activity alerts and two-factor authentication

You can also enable alerts for unusual account activity. While this case involves an insider, account alerts still help you spot unauthorized access to your own profile. You can also turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) to add another layer of protection to your account.

How to turn on account activity alerts

(Settings may vary depending on device and app version)

Mobile (iPhone/Android):
FacebookMenuSettings & privacySettingsAccounts CenterPassword and securitySecurity Checkupreview and complete recommended security steps

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: Profile picture (top right) > Settings & privacySettingsAccounts CenterPassword and security > Security Checkupreview and complete recommended security steps

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How to turn on two-factor authentication

(Settings may vary depending on device and app version)

Mobile (iPhone/Android):
Facebook: MenuSettings & privacySettingsPassword and securityTwo-factor authentication > choose text message or authentication appfollow prompts

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: Profile pictureSettings & privacy > Settings > Password and securityTwo-factor authentication > choose text message or authentication appfollow prompts

5) Check third-party app access

Take a few minutes to review which apps have access to your Facebook account. Third-party apps can sometimes hold more access than you expect.

(Settings may vary depending on device and app version)

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Mobile (iPhone/Android):
Facebook: MenuSettings & privacy > SettingsApps and websitesActive > tap an app > Remove

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: Profile picture (top right) > Settings & privacySettingsApps and websitesActive > click an appRemove

If you don’t see any apps listed or options like “Active,” it likely means you don’t have any connected apps to review.

What this means to you

If you use Facebook or similar platforms, this situation highlights something many people overlook. Even with strong safeguards, insider access still exists. Employees often need certain permissions to keep systems running. That creates a level of trust between users and the company. 

When that trust is broken, it can feel personal. At the same time, there are still steps you can take on your end. Reviewing your privacy settings, limiting what you share and enabling security features can reduce how much of your content is exposed. It also shows why detection and response matter. 

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In this case, Meta says it identified the issue, removed the employee and notified users. Those steps can limit damage, but they do not erase the concern. The bigger takeaway is that privacy depends on both technology and human behavior. Systems can reduce risk, but they cannot remove it completely.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com    

Kurt’s key takeaways

This case is still under investigation, and no final legal outcome has been announced. Even so, it highlights a risk many people rarely think about. Most privacy conversations focus on hackers. This situation is different. It shows how access from inside a company can create its own set of risks. Meta says it acted quickly by removing the employee, notifying users and strengthening its systems. Those steps matter, but they also show how much trust users place in the platforms they use every day. The reality is simple. Once you upload something online, you are trusting more than just the technology behind it.

If someone inside a company can access private data, how much control do you really have over what you share online? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. 

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Govee’s new LED Lightwall comes with its own self-standing frame

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Govee’s new LED Lightwall comes with its own self-standing frame

Govee has announced an upgraded version of its hanging Curtain Lights Pro that can instead be used nearly anywhere you have access to an outlet or large battery. At $449.99, Govee’s new Lightwall is more than twice as expensive as the $199.99 Curtain Lights Pro, but comes with more LEDs in a denser array and a self-standing aluminum frame that can be assembled in 10 to 15 minutes without the need for any tools.

When hung from its stand the Lightwall measures 7.9 feet wide and 5.3 feet tall and features 1,536 color-changing LEDs spaced about 1.96 inches apart in a 48 x 32 grid. It’s water-resistant, and with the ability to refresh at up to 35fps the Lightwall almost sounds like it could be used as a personal backyard Jumbotron, but it’s not designed for watching TV or movies.

The Lightwall instead connects to Govee’s Home app where you can select from over 200 preset scenes and simple animations, choose from 10 different music modes that generate lighting patterns matched to beats, or synchronize its colors to other Govee lighting products to create a cohesive mood.

The app can also use AI to create custom animated GIFs from simple text prompts, or you can take matters into your own hands and create custom designs by sketching in the app with your finger and stacking up to 30 layers of doodles. The Lightwall is smart home compatible and supports Matter, too, so in addition to managing it through Govee’s app you can control it using voice commands through smart devices with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

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