In a recent development in the cybersecurity world, a major data breach involving X (formerly Twitter) has been uncovered by researchers at Cyber Press. The breach, which has affected nearly 200 million user records, is considered one of the largest data exposures in recent times, shedding light on the vulnerability of personal information on social platforms.
The leaked database, totaling 9.4 GB in size, contains sensitive details such as email addresses, names, and information related to X accounts. This stolen data could potentially be exploited by malicious actors for phishing schemes, identity theft, and social engineering tactics. The database was initially disclosed on a well-known hacking forum dedicated to data breaches, where a user named ‘michupa’ created a new account on July 7, 2024, specifically to release the extensive Twitter database. The data was split into 10 separate files, each containing 1 GB of information, and is now available for public download.
Upon further investigation by the Cyber Press team, the accuracy of the email addresses linked to several X profiles was verified, confirming the legitimacy of some of the data. However, the complete dataset has not yet been entirely validated, and the exact date of the breach remains unknown, although it is believed to have occurred recently.
As a response to this breach, Cyber Press strongly urges both individuals and organizations to take immediate action to safeguard their accounts and data. Recommendations include changing passwords and implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) on Twitter accounts, remaining vigilant for any suspicious emails or messages that could exploit the leaked information, monitoring accounts for unusual activities, strengthening data protection measures, conducting regular security audits, and educating employees on the risks associated with phishing and social engineering attacks.
The Cyber Press team has reached out to Twitter to notify them of the data breach and is awaiting a response from the platform. This incident underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the need for constant vigilance in the face of escalating data breaches. As society becomes increasingly reliant on digital platforms, securing personal information remains a top priority. Cyber Press will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as new details emerge.