The Largest Data Breach in History: A Security Protection Guide Every Encryption User Must Read

Recently, cybersecurity researchers have confirmed an unprecedented data breach incident. A massive database containing up to 16 billion login credentials is circulating on the dark web, covering almost all mainstream platforms we use in our daily lives.

The severity of this incident far exceeds that of a typical data breach and can be seen as a potential blueprint for a global hacking attack. For everyone living in the digital age, especially users with encryption assets, this is undoubtedly an imminent security crisis. This article will provide you with a comprehensive security self-check guide, suggesting that you immediately conduct a comparative check to strengthen your asset protection measures.

1. The potential threats of this leak

To fully recognize the necessity of defense, it is important to first understand the severity of this threat. The reason this leak is particularly harmful is that it contains more sensitive information than ever before:

Batch Attempt Attack: Hackers are using leaked "email + password" combinations to attempt to log into various cryptocurrency exchanges on a large scale and in an automated manner. If you have used the same or similar passwords across different platforms, your account may be compromised without your knowledge.

Email becomes a security risk: Once an attacker gains control of your primary email through a leaked password, they can use the "forgot password" feature to reset all of your associated financial and social accounts, rendering your SMS or email verification ineffective.

Potential Risks of Password Managers: If the master password strength of the password manager you are using is insufficient, or if two-factor authentication is not enabled, then once it is compromised, all the website passwords, mnemonics, private keys, and API keys stored within it could be completely exposed.

Targeted Social Engineering Attacks: Scammers may use your leaked personal information (such as your name, email, frequently used websites, etc.) to impersonate customer service, project administrators, or even your acquaintances, conducting highly customized and precise scams against you.

2. Comprehensive Defense Strategy: Security System from Account to Chain

In the face of such severe security threats, we need to build a comprehensive defense system.

1. Account Layer Defense: Strengthen Your Digital Gateway

Password Management

This is the most basic and urgent step. Please immediately set a brand new, unique, complex password consisting of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols for all important accounts (especially trading platforms and email).

Upgrade Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is your account's "second line of defense", but its security varies. Please deactivate and replace all platform SMS (2FA) verification immediately! This method is vulnerable to SIM swap attacks. It is recommended to fully switch to more secure authentication apps like Google Authenticator. For accounts holding large assets, consider using a hardware security key, which is currently the safest protection method available for individual users.

2. On-chain Defense: Clean Up Potential Risks in Wallets

Wallet security is not only about private keys. Your interactions with decentralized applications (DApps) may also leave hidden risks. Please use professional tools like DeBank, Revoke.cash, etc., to thoroughly check which DApps your wallet address has granted token infinite authorization (Approve) to. For all applications that are no longer in use, untrusted, or have excessively high authorization limits, immediately revoke their token transfer permissions, eliminating potential "backdoors" that hackers could exploit and preventing your assets from being stolen without your knowledge.

3. Mental Layer Defense: Establish "Zero Trust" Security Awareness

In addition to technical defenses, mindset and habits are the last line of defense.

Establish the "Zero Trust" Principle: In the current severe security situation, please maintain high vigilance towards any requests for signatures, providing private keys, authorizations, and connecting wallets, as well as links that are actively sent through emails, private messages, etc. ------ even if it seems to come from someone you trust (because their accounts may also have been compromised).

Develop the habit of accessing official channels: Always access trading platforms or wallet websites through bookmarks you have saved or by manually entering the official website address. This is the most effective way to prevent phishing sites.

Security is not a one-time operation, but a discipline and habit that requires long-term adherence. In this risk-filled digital world, caution is the only and ultimate barrier to protect our wealth.