16 Billion Passwords Exposed: Largest Data Breach Ever?

Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a record-breaking data breach exposing 16 billion passwords—the largest confirmed dump of stolen access data ever. These credentials are not recycled from old hacks; they're new, undocumented, and highly dangerous, impacting major platforms like Apple, Google, Facebook, and more. The data's structured format suggests active exfiltration, likely via infostealer malware, optimized for sale or deployment. Researchers warn of imminent large-scale phishing, credential stuffing, and account hijacking. The breach highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in corporate data security, including misconfigured cloud setups and poor password management practices.