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TA

Taobao

High

Taobao's 2012 breach reportedly exposed 21 million accounts, revealing email addresses and plain text passwords.

Records exposed
21,149,008 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.

Email addressesPasswords

Why does this breach matter?

In-depth analysis of the breach and its implications.

In early 2012, reports emerged of a significant data breach allegedly targeting the popular Chinese online shopping platform Taobao. The breach allegedly involved 21 million subscriber accounts, exposing data including email addresses and plain text passwords. Due to challenges in confirmation, the breach remains classified as unverified.

Impact Analysis

Understanding the scope and consequences of this breach.

User Impact
Users' email addresses and plaintext passwords were exposed, increasing the risk of account compromise.
Business Impact
The breach possibly affected Taobao's customer trust and data security reputation.
Affected Sectors
  • E-commerce
Geographic Impact
  • China

What You Should Do

Recommended actions to take in response to this breach.

If You Were Affected

  • Immediately change your passwords and ensure they are strong.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts.
  • Monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity.

Preventive Measures

  • Use unique passwords for each account.
  • Adopt password managers to securely store login credentials.
  • Regularly review your account security settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this breach and what it means for you.

Yes, update your password to a distinct and secure one immediately if you suspect exposure.