British citizens are facing an urgent alert following a significant data breach that resulted in the theft of millions of passwords.
An extensive email breach compromising the information of 183 million Gmail users was described by an expert as originating from various sources but primarily involving different types of Google data, including email addresses, passwords, and associated websites. The breach exposed approximately 3.5 terabytes of data in total.
A cybersecurity specialist cautioned that users affected by the breach must take necessary precautions to safeguard their remaining data. Details of the breach, linked to “infostealer activity” and first acknowledged in April this year, were shared on the Have I Been Pwned database.
According to the database report, the stolen data mainly comprised “stealer logs and credential stuffing lists”. In an interview with the Daily Mail, cybersecurity expert Troy Hunt explained that the compromised information impacted multiple email providers, with Gmail being notably prominent.
Hunt stated, “All major email providers are included. The data is sourced from various places, but Gmail is consistently a major target.” A Google spokesperson informed Forbes that users could reduce their vulnerability to the breach by implementing certain adjustments using the company’s existing tools.
The spokesperson recommended, “This incident involves widespread infostealer activity targeting various online activities. In terms of email security, users can enhance their protection by enabling 2-step verification and utilizing passkeys as a more secure alternative to passwords.”
Moreover, Gmail users have access to additional resources if they suspect unauthorized access to their accounts. By monitoring the “account activity” page, users can identify any illicit use of their accounts. For those experiencing login issues, account recovery through the designated page is advised.
Furthermore, a specific protocol is in place for resetting passwords compromised in significant credential leaks. The spokesperson added, “Additionally, we offer password reset procedures for users affected by extensive credential breaches like this one.”
Individuals concerned about their password’s exposure or its strength can utilize Google’s password checkup feature. This feature is accessible in Chrome by navigating to Passwords and autofill in the top-right menu and then accessing the Google Password Manager – Checkup page.
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