The RockYou2024 data breach appears to be the largest-ever compilation of stolen passwords — about ten billion of them, according to Cybernews.
But don't worry — cybersecurity researchers say that most of the compilation was junk data and useless to hackers, according to PCMag.
Here's something you should worry about, though: According to USAToday, more than a billion people saw their passwords and other information compromised during the first half of the year, compared to 182.65 million in the first half of 2023. That's a 409 percent increase, and a pretty good reason to beef up the security for your online accounts.
Most of the victims were related to a small number of very large breaches, including Ticketmaster and Advanced Auto Parts. And the number is liable to go up as information about other major hacks, notably Change Healthcare, becomes available.
Cybercriminals are increasingly eager to obtain stolen driver's license numbers, which can be used for identity theft and financial fraud, according to Experian.
Tips to protect yourself from hackers:
1. Use multi-factor authentication, which adds a second level of protection — often with a text message or email.
2. Don't buy from websites that don't use secure and established payment methods. Credit cards and platforms like PayPal offer dispute resolution, which can protect you from financial losses.
3. Don't open links or download files from unfamiliar sources. If you aren't expecting it and you don't know the sender, don't click on it.
4. Use unique passphrases for every account that are at least 12 characters long and include numbers and special characters.