WEBDESK: A major data breach has exposed the personal information of over 180 million people worldwide, including users in Pakistan. Sensitive information such as passwords, of over 180 million users from major companies such as Google, Facebook, and Apple, have been compromised.
The data breach has affected people using various popular apps and online platforms. Stolen details may include names, phone numbers, email addresses, and even sensitive financial data. Experts are investigating which platforms were involved and how the hackers went about their attack.
The alarming incident has prompted Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team (N-CERT) to issue an urgent advisory to all users and institutions across the country.
According to the advisory, personal data taken in the data breach included records from government sites and well-known social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat. According to N-CERT, because the database holding the stolen data is unsecured, it could result in millions of users facing identity theft, accounts being hacked and more cyber incidents.
Pakistani users are strongly urged to change their account passwords without delay and enable two-step verification to enhance account security after the data breach.
Avoid sending passwords via email and always keep them in secure files, the resource stressed. The guidelines stated using known password managers to protect personal data and recommending that users always update their security software.
Experts believe the breach was possible because of weak security or security gaps in common applications. Stolen personal data may be used by cybercriminals for identity theft, fraudulent emails or online crimes.
Users are recommended to check their online accounts regularly for unfamiliar activity, keeping apps updated, and avoiding third-party downloads. If you believe your data may have been affected, report it to the relevant cybercrime authorities.
Read more: PTA warns about issues with 5G in Pakistan
