Cybergenws reported on Wednesday about his research that resulted in the online discovery of 30 data sets that include 16 billion items with user login information for “virtually any idea of ​​online service”, including Apple, Facebook and Google.
The registrations include a URL and login information. Since this data is what is often collected by malware, it seems that these items are a result of several infoTeals -attacks. Cybergenws say the data sets include overlapping items, but huge data collection makes it difficult to compare individual items to conclude how many users have been exposed to.
The exposed data sets have not been previously reported, except for a discovered by Jeremiah Fowler, who had 185 million unique usernames and passwords. The data sets are also temporarily available and taken down after some time. Cybergenws says new databases appear “every few weeks” with “fresh, weapon intelligence.” It is also not clear that the origin of the data sentence and who is behind the data collection.
How to protect yourself
To protect yourself from malware, avoid downloading software from storage sites such as GitHub and other download sites. Apple has monitored software in the Mac App Store and that’s the safest way to get apps. If you prefer not to condescending the Mac App Store, buy software directly from the developer and their site. If you insist on using cracked software, you will always risk exposure to malware.
Never open links IE emails or texts you receive from unknown and unexpected sources. If you get a message that looks like it is from a device you are doing business with, check the sender’s e -mail address and inspect the URL carefully. If you see a link or button, you can check it, select Copy Link, and then paste it into a Textsteditor to see the actual URL and check it.
Phishing -attack often involves a user who inadvertently visits a website with a wrong URL. Then confirm the URL you have entered in your browser. Bookmark the sites you often visit so you don’t have to enter the URL every time. In some cases you can use a search engine; Write the name of the place you want to visit, and then click on the link after looking at the URL it goes to. Write e.g. “Macworld” in the search engine you are using, and then click on the link selected on www.macworld.com. This way it is not so effective, but if you make a typo, you see it in the search and the search engine will control you in the right direction.
In a case where you believe your data was exposed in a data violation, there are a few steps to take to protect yourself:
- If you continue to use the service that was violated, change your password and enable two-factor verification.
- Check your credit report and freeze it. This will help block unauthorized approvals for financial services made in your name. If you need to sign up for a service (such as a loan or credit card), you can temporarily release your account so that a credit check can be performed.
- Check your items for all your financial institutions. If you access them online, change your passwords and enable two-factor verification. Some institutions also provide warnings when attempting to access your account.
- Use a service that I have Benn Pwned to see if your E -Mail address was involved in a data violation.
Apple releases security fixes through us updates, so it is important to install them as soon as possible. It is also important to update apps on your Mac, which you can do through the App Store or the app’s settings. Macworld has several guides to help, including a guide on whether you need antivirus software, a list of Mac viruses, malware and Trojans and a comparison of Mac safety software.