16 Billion Passwords Hacked! Let's secure our accounts

"16 billion passwords exposed in record-breaking data breach" Source: Cybernews

Cybernews started its research in the beginning of 2025 and at the end of June, they published a report revealing that 16 billion passwords have been hacked on internet. It is claimed to be the world largest data leak ever. So, in this post, we will se that how can we check whether our account has been hacked or not or how can we make our account safe? Let's start.

Source: Cybernews

In the order to make this blog easy to read, only superficial information are included.

Methods that hackers use to hack your passwords

1. PHISHING: A trick used by hackers includes an SMS, WhatsApp or Emails. Example given below.

Image by Author using Adobe Photoshop

2. CREDENTIAL STUFFING: Hackers access some past data leak to access your account.

3. Password Spraying: Hackers use a single common password to access your account. They search most common passwords in any particular country and then try out the most common passwords on many accounts using some special software.

4. Brute Force: Hackers use multiple combinations of passwords to unlock accounts.

Now let's see how can we make our accounts safe.

1. ✅Never use common passwords.

2. ✅Never use somebody's name, DOP, age figure in passwords.

3. ✅Use longer passwords to make it secure.

4. ✅For public internets, use strong reliable VPN.

5. ✅Use special characters like (!@#$%^&*.,/":|).

6. ✅Keep the length of a passwords at least up to 12 digits.

6. ✅Use any password strength checking sites to check the estimated hacking time.