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10 Million Passwords and Usernames Published Online

In the name of clarity and research, a security expert has compiled and published 10 million usable usernames and passwords online. Reports ZEDNET. Mark Burnett is a security consultant and researcher who specialises in the security of Microsoft Windows-based servers and networks. Word around the internet is the wait and response of FBI.

Apparently the dump file is interesting! One sees a pattern of a varied users' choice of id and passwords. Computing such data for research seems so enticing. However this is not the only or first time someone has made available user names and passwords publicly. In another world of underground-internet-activities malware and virus, publishing of user names for commercial gain is more useful, enticing and thriving. This is observable by the regular spam we encounter in our mails, website visits even sms and voice calls. Whether or not you suspect your account has been compromised their is a way to check. 

Despite advances by the security industry, criminals continue to evolve their approaches to break through security defenses.

Image showing a listed username whose password is known

Here is how you can check if you have been pwned? and for the 10 million passwords you can check with the 87MB zipped file downloadable at Mark Burnett blog post. I checked and found one of my passwords listed but have left it their as the account compromised had no use for me. Despite advances by the security industry, criminals continue to evolve their approaches to break through security defences and one can never be so sure

Mark Burnett Admits 
In his blog of 02.09.15 with a headline

                                     Today I Am Releasing Ten Million Passwords 

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“This is completely absurd that I have to write an entire article justifying the release of this data out of fear of prosecution”
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Why did he publish

"The intent here is certainly not to defraud, facilitate unauthorized access to a computer system, steal the identity of others, to aid any crime or to harm any individual or entity. The sole intent is to further research with the goal of making authentication more secure, and therefore protect from fraud and unauthorized access."

Ten Million Passwords FAQ

Why did you release this data
How did you collect the data
Are you obsessed with passwords?

For a comprehensive question and answer follow this link

Related Event Last Year

September 10, 2014

Russian Hackers Release 5 Million Gmail Usernames and Passwords Online

By Marshal Honorof

jacindaelena: by Lórien Sequera and englishsnow

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I'm Elena, and this is my photography/art blog. I try to update it daily with random things that catch my eye, and occasionally post my own photography/edits.
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