126
HighA 2012 breach targeted 126.com, exposing 6.4 million email addresses and plain text passwords.
- Records exposed
- 6,414,191 records
- Breach date
- Breach Jan 1, 2012
- Last update
- Updated Oct 8, 2016
What data was exposed?
Fields reported as compromised in this breach record.
Why does this breach matter?
In-depth analysis of the breach and its implications.
In the year 2012, a cyber breach reportedly targeted 126.com, a prominent Chinese email service. Allegedly compromising over 6.4 million records, the breach exposed sensitive user details, namely email addresses and passwords, stored in plain text. However, the breach is categorized as "unverified" due to difficulties in conclusively substantiating its validity within the cybersecurity domain.
Impact Analysis
Understanding the scope and consequences of this breach.
- User Impact
- Users face increased risk of account compromise due to exposure of plain text credentials.
- Business Impact
- Loss of trust and reputational impact on the organization due to potential data handling concerns.
- Affected Sectors
- Technology
- Communication
- Geographic Impact
- China
What You Should Do
Recommended actions to take in response to this breach.
If You Were Affected
- •Change the password of any account registered with 126.com immediately.
- •Enable multi-factor authentication on accounts where possible.
- •Monitor accounts for suspicious activity, particularly those utilizing the exposed email addresses.
Preventive Measures
- •Utilize strong, unique passwords for each account.
- •Avoid reusing passwords across multiple sites.
- •Employ password managers to securely manage complex passwords.
- •Regularly update passwords to enhance security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this breach and what it means for you.