Email Passwords Around 183 million leaked: Know If Your Email is in the List
Email Passwords Around 183 million leaked: Know If Your Email is in the List
“Infostealer malware leaked 183 million email addresses and passwords, requiring users to immediately change passwords and use 2FA.”
Millions of email accounts and the passwords that go with them have been exposed in a big data breach that has appeared online; a significant percentage of these accounts are allegedly owned by Gmail users.
More than 183 million records in the breach were recently discovered and added to the Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) website, a popular database that assists users in determining whether their login credentials have been hacked.
It’s been referred to as one of the biggest email password leaks in recent memory. It’s crucial to remember that Google’s own systems have not been compromised, though, before panic sets in.
The credentials were allegedly taken from customers’ personal PCs and browsers rather than directly from Gmail servers, as the data was purportedly collected from malware-infected devices.
Malware-derived data rather than Google servers
The recently updated dataset known as the “Synthient Stealer Log Threat Data” comes from logs gathered by malware infections, according to cybersecurity specialist Troy Hunt of Have I Been Pwned.
This indicates that the data came from multiple compromised devices throughout the globe rather than just one hacked website or business. About 183 million distinct email addresses and passwords are included in the dataset, which was added to HIBP on October 21, 2025.
The fact that a large number of these passwords were discovered in plaintext, that is, without encryption, is concerning. A large percentage of the entries were connected to Gmail accounts, according to preliminary analysis, which raised questions about how many people might still be using the same passwords elsewhere.
Cybercriminals are progressively moving away from large-scale corporate intrusions and toward more focused operations utilizing infostealer software, Hunt noted in a blog post published with Heise Online.
On compromised devices, these malicious apps operate covertly in the background, logging everything from browser cookies and authentication tokens to saved logins.
Why should users of Gmail be concerned about this?
The size of this dataset raises severe concerns for Gmail users, even though there is no proof of a direct breach at Google. Experts warn that infostealer software is capable of capturing far more than passwords.
Hackers may be able to completely circumvent two-factor authentication (2FA) in certain situations by stealing session cookies that keep users signed in. Google’s systems are still safe, according to reports from Cyber Insider and Forbes, but they caution that the actual risk is the stolen data being sold or reused on underground cybercrime marketplaces.
Attackers may be able to access banking apps, shopping accounts, or work emails connected to the same credentials because many users frequently reuse passwords across many platforms.
How can you determine whether your Gmail account has been compromised?
Fortunately, you can verify if your Gmail account was compromised. Enter your email address at [Have I Been Pwned] (https://haveibeenpwned.com/). If your credentials were found in any prior leaks or the just-made-public dataset, the website will let you know.
Don’t wait to change your password if your email appears in the results. Choose a strong, one-of-a-kind password that you haven’t used before, and think about turning on two-factor authentication (2FA) right away.
How should you proceed if your account is impacted?
Use Google’s Security Checkup tool first if you think your Gmail account has been compromised. Unfamiliar devices or third-party apps that might have access to your account are examples of suspicious activities that it assists in identifying. Take out everything that seems strange.
Instead of using SMS-based verification, which can be intercepted, users are recommended to enable two-step verification using a hardware key or a passkey.
Mashable
| Even if hackers know your password, they will find it much more difficult to access your account if you use a passkey. |
About The Author
Suraj Koli is a content specialist in technical writing about cybersecurity & information security. He has written many amazing articles related to cybersecurity concepts, with the latest trends in cyber awareness and ethical hacking. Find out more about “Him.”
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