A significant data breach has exposed more than 183 million Gmail accounts, including passwords, putting users at serious risk of unauthorised access. This breach means cybercriminals could potentially unlock not only your email inbox, but every online service connected to it – banking, shopping, subscriptions, cloud storage, and more.
At Skunkworks IT, we take security seriously, and we strongly advise all Gmail users to take immediate action.
š Whatās happened?
A large dataset containing Gmail addresses and associated passwords has surfaced online. While Googleās own systems have not been breached, the leaked information likely originated from third-party websites where users reused their Gmail credentials. Attackers use these details in large-scale credential-stuffing attacks to gain access to accounts.
š”ļø What you need to do now
- Change your Gmail password immediately – Use a strong, unique password that you donāt use anywhere else.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – This provides a vital extra layer of protection, even if your password has been compromised.
- Check if your details were exposed – Visit: haveibeenpwned.com Enter your email to see if it appears in known breach data.
- Consider using a password manager – Tools like Bitwarden, 1Password, or LastPass help generate and store complex, unique passwords securely.
š Stay protected
If you use your Gmail account to access business tools, cloud services, or platforms secured by your Google login, now is the time to ensure everything is locked down. Cybersecurity threats move quickly ā taking a few minutes today can prevent major disruption later.
If you need help securing your accounts, auditing your passwords, or improving your businessās security posture, the Skunkworks IT team is here to help.
Stay safe online, and remain vigilant.