ROCKYOU2024: A COLOSSAL COMPILATION OF 10 BILLION LEAKED PASSWORDS

On July 4th, a significant event unfolded in the realm of cybersecurity.

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The largest password leak in history, known as RockYou2024, was released. The leaker goes by the pseudonym “ObamaCare” on a big hacking forum. They have compiled an amazing 9,948,575,739 unique passwords in plain text. This is nearly 10 billion leaked passwords. It marks an unparalleled attack - Cybernews.

However, it’s important to note some nuances. The numbers are alarming. But, it's crucial to understand that RockYou2024 mainly contains old password leaks. It builds upon an earlier compilation, “RockYou2021,” which contained 8.4 billion passwords.

Between RockYou2021 and RockYou2024, approximately 1.5 billion additional passwords were incorporated. ObamaCare claims that some of these 1.5 billion passwords were freshly cracked with their RTX 4090. This method was previously cautioned against.

Cybernews provided insights in their first coverage. They covered the potential effects and what to do. They warned that attackers could use the RockYou2024 list to target any system weak to brute-force attacks. This includes many targets. They range from online and offline services to internet-facing cameras and industrial hardware. Other leaked databases contain user email addresses and other credentials. RockYou2024 could trigger a chain of data breaches, frauds, and thefts.

The headline is impactful: 9.9 billion leaked passwords. But, it's worth noting that this is mainly a compilation of leaks from as early as 2021.

Users are advised to remain vigilant, as the list has been updated and maintained since 2021. This may seem like a repeat of past hackers’ exploits from old database breaches. But, it’s still crucial to practice good password management. You’ve been diligently managing and rotating your passwords for over a year. Or, you did so before the 2021 attack. If so, you’re likely safe. However, in the digital age, it’s good to improve the security of your digital accounts.

Staff

Staff

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