A global password leak has exposed billions of account credentials

Over 10 years of stolen passwords from past breaches have been compiled into a single database now circulating on the dark web, exposing more than 16 billion unique credentials.

Although this breach did not originate from Baldwin Wallace University, the size and scope of the leak means it could affect anyone who reuses passwords or has not changed them in a while.

What You Should Do:

We recommend that you update your passwords immediately for any accounts that protect sensitive information, including:

• Banking and credit card accounts
• Apple ID or Google accounts
• Email services like Gmail or Yahoo (including BW email)
• Social media accounts
• Government services such as the IRS, Social Security, or student loan portals

Helpful Tips:

• Create a unique and strong password for each account
• Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever it is available
• Use a password manager to help you manage your passwords securely