Billions of Apple, Google and Facebook account data from around the world have been leaked. Users are insecure as the leaked data is stored in an insecure online database. The data leak was first identified by cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler. He said that this is the most risky of the data leaks that have come to light in recent years. This is a database that contains information about direct access to personal accounts. It is like a dream for any cybercriminal.
It is known that the database contains about 47 gigabytes of information. The database contains 184 million usernames and passwords of users of various online platforms including Apple, Google and Facebook accounts, as well as Instagram, Microsoft, Netflix, PayPal. In this regard, Fowler said that he found the database in early May of this year. It was operated by a web hosting company called World Host Group. The company provides domain, cloud hosting and technical services in different countries of the world. After informing the World Host Group about the matter, they quickly deleted the database from the internet. Admitting the matter, Seb de Lems, CEO of the World Host Group, said, “We believe that a fraudster had illegally uploaded this information to our servers.”
There is no confirmed information about the ownership or source of the database. However, Fowler believes that the information may have been stolen from the servers of various organizations using malware called Infostealer. In addition to stealing passwords stored on computers, Infostealer malware can collect usernames that are automatically filled in through cookies or browsers. This malware is usually spread through suspicious apps or e-mails.
Experts fear that it is possible to directly access users’ accounts through the information in the database and steal money, identity or confidential information. It is even possible to use this information to commit phishing or fraud. Therefore, users of any online platform on the list, including Apple, Google, Facebook, should change their account passwords immediately.
Source: Daily Mail
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