The file was left entirely unprotected - no encryption, no password, no safeguards - just a plain text document holding millions of sensitive data entries.

If you tend to reuse passwords or haven’t changed one in years, you should assume your credentials are vulnerable and take steps to protect yourself.

“This is not just a leak—it’s a blueprint for mass exploitation,” researchers said. “With over 16 billion login records exposed, cybercriminals now have unprecedented access to personal credentials that can be used for account takeover, identity theft, and highly targeted phishing.”