A database containing 235 million unique records of Twitter user information has been leaked online to a hacker forum.
The leaked data contains names, usernames, email addresses, follower data and account creation dates. This data will lead to targeted hacking & phishing attempts.
The data was obtained in 2021 after discovering that a Twitter API could be exploited to gain semi-public information about users. This vulnerability has since been patched.
One way to check if you've been in a data breach is by using this free site: https://haveibeenpwned.com/
You can also get notified of future breaches by selecting the notify me feature.
If you have or believe that you may have been affected by a data leak, it's crucial to take action quickly. Some specific steps that you can take include:
Change any compromised passwords immediately
Monitor your personal & financial information online (e.g. credit reports, social media accounts, bank statements)
Report it to www.actionfraud.police.uk - Action Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cybercrime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It's also important to be mindful that cybercriminals are constantly developing new techniques to steal sensitive information, so it's essential to be vigilant and stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats.