ISLAMABAD:
Passwords and sensitive information of over 180 million users from across the world have been stolen. This global data leak has affected users of major companies including Google, Facebook, and Apple.
According to an advisory issued by Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT), data from platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and even government portals has been stolen and information from user accounts has been compromised across the globe.
CERT advised Pakistani users to immediately change their account passwords as the data leak poses risks of identity theft, account hacking, and cyberattacks.
“Government institutions and financial accounts may also be at risk. Even systems of the government and sensitive agencies could be endangered,” the advisory said.
It urged users to enable two-factor authentication on their accounts. Sensitive information has been stolen and stored in databases, which could lead to automated attacks.
CERT asked users to utilize a password manager. It further advised that passwords should never be stored in emails or unsecured files and that antivirus and security software should be updated regularly.
“Users are also advised to monitor unusual login activity, and institutions should immediately take steps to notify affected users. Failure to act promptly could endanger the national digital infrastructure,” the CERT advisory added.
