Welcome to the Internet’s Wildest Year (So Far)
If you thought 2025 was already crazy enough, the cyber world just dropped a bombshell: over 16 billion user credentials are now floating around on hacker forums and dark web marketplaces.
Let that number sink in.
That’s more than double the entire population of Earth.
And no, this isn’t a typo. It’s the largest compilation of breached credentials ever uncovered—a staggering pile of data collected over the years, now repackaged and dumped online for anyone with bad intentions.
The worst part? It includes data from giants like LinkedIn, Google, Dropbox, and more—and it’s being actively used to hack into everything from bank accounts to business dashboards.
What Just Happened?
Earlier this month (June 2025), researchers from Cybernews and several dark web monitoring teams confirmed the upload of a 1.2TB+ archive dubbed the “Mother of All Breaches” (MOAB). It’s not a single new hack, but rather a supercharged compilation of data scraped, stolen, and stitched together from:
- Previous data breaches (LinkedIn, Canva, MyFitnessPal, etc.)
- Info-stealing malware (RedLine, Raccoon, and Vidar)
- Botnet dumps and credential stuffing lists
- And yes, some fresh records mixed in too
Source: CyberNews Investigation
It’s like someone took every leaked password from the last decade, zipped it up, and handed it to cybercriminals.
What’s Actually in This Mega-Leak?
Here’s a quick glance at what was exposed:
- 16+ billion unique credentials (email + password combos)
- Several plaintext passwords (not hashed)
- Login credentials for platforms like LinkedIn, Google, Facebook, Dropbox, Telegram
- Credentials for corporate VPNs, databases, internal tools
- Leaks dating back to 2012—but repackaged and re-exploitable
It’s not just volume—it’s utility. These credentials are highly actionable, meaning attackers can now launch credential stuffing, phishing, or targeted attacks en masse.
Are Apple, Google, and Telegram Affected?
The short answer? Yes—indirectly, but seriously.
- Google accounts: Gmail credentials are among the most targeted, as they often serve as the gateway to dozens of other services. Even if you didn’t reuse your password, a hacker with access to this dump can try variations, use phishing lures, or even exploit weak recovery methods.
- Apple ID: While Apple uses strong security, it’s not immune. If you reused your Apple password elsewhere, or didn’t enable 2FA, your iCloud data could be at risk. Even session hijacks are on the rise.
- Telegram: Although Telegram uses OTPs for login, some leaked databases contain session tokens from infected devices, allowing full account takeover—even without the password.
This isn’t just about stolen passwords. It’s about reconstructed identities. Once attackers have your Gmail or Apple ID, they can impersonate you with shocking precision.
Why This is So Dangerous Right Now
Unlike isolated hacks in the past, this mega-leak puts everything in one searchable, downloadable package. That’s terrifying for two reasons:
- Attackers can automate hacks faster than ever
Tools now exist where hackers just upload this dump into a botnet—and let the bots try logging into bank accounts, SaaS platforms, or even employee dashboards. - This isn’t old news—it’s a fresh threat
Many businesses and individuals still haven’t changed their credentials since previous breaches. Plus, some data in this dump was stolen via malware as recently as Q1 2025.
So no, this isn’t just an archive. This is a live ammunition box.
Real-World Consequences We’re Already Seeing
- WestJet, one of Canada’s largest airlines, experienced a “cybersecurity event” just days after this dump began circulating. While unrelated officially, the timing suggests the leak may have been involved in initial access or lateral movement inside the organization.
➤ Read the full WestJet incident update - Tech-support scams have spiked in India and the US. Attackers use the credentials to impersonate officials or support teams, particularly targeting elderly victims. In Mumbai, one woman lost ₹22 lakh after scammers convinced her she was under investigation for espionage.
➤ Times of India coverage - Multiple businesses are now receiving ransom threats after attackers used credentials to breach exposed admin panels, CRM dashboards, and internal chat tools.
Should You Panic?
No.
But should you act immediately? Absolutely.
This kind of leak doesn’t go away—it snowballs. Every week it circulates, more tools are built around it. More people get access. More attacks happen.
WebOrion’s Quick Security Checklist
Here’s what you (and your team) should do now:
✔ Check if you’re in the breach: Visit https://haveibeenpwned.com
✔ Change reused passwords on your email, social, and banking platforms
✔ Enable 2FA everywhere—especially on Gmail, Apple ID, and Telegram
✔ Scan your devices for malware like RedLine or Raccoon
✔ Monitor your accounts for unfamiliar logins, recovery requests, or device access
✔ Avoid using public Wi-Fi without a VPN until things cool down
Want help checking if your employees or clients are in the dump?
Contact us now.
Final Thoughts
This leak will be remembered not just for its size—but for its timing, accessibility, and damage potential. If you’re still assuming you’re safe because you haven’t seen direct damage yet, you’re playing with fire.
Let this be the moment you act.
Update those credentials, educate your team, and lock the doors—before someone else walks in.
