A cybersecurity researcher recently uncovered a massive data dump containing approximately 149 million user credentials harvested through infostealer malware. This enormous breach includes roughly 420,000 Binance-related login details among millions of other compromised accounts from major platforms.
The exposed database, containing 96 GB of unencrypted data, remained accessible online without password protection for nearly a month before being taken down. This security incident highlights the growing threat of infostealer malware that silently extracts saved credentials from compromised personal devices.
🚨 ALERT: Around 149M user credentials were exposed in a massive infostealer data dump, including roughly 420k Binance-related logins.
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) January 26, 2026
The leak originated from malware-infected devices, not a Binance breach. pic.twitter.com/XntBkedRJg
Widespread Impact Across Major Platforms
The scale of this breach extends far beyond cryptocurrency exchanges. The exposed credentials include 48 million Gmail accounts, 4 million Yahoo accounts, 17 million Facebook accounts, and 6.5 million Instagram accounts. The breach also compromised 3.4 million Netflix accounts, 780,000 TikTok accounts, and numerous other services.
Jeremiah Fowler, the researcher who discovered the database, noted that financial accounts faced significant exposure. The breach affected users across at least 80 cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance, Coinbase, Crypto.com, MetaMask, and Exodus. Additionally, banking credentials, credit card logins, and government-linked accounts with .gov domains appeared in the dataset.
Security experts emphasize that this incident differs from traditional breaches that target company servers. Instead, the attackers collected credentials through malware installed on individual devices, creating a concerning trend in how cybercriminals harvest sensitive information.
Understanding Infostealer Malware
Infostealer malware represents a significant and growing threat to digital security. These malicious programs often disguise themselves as game cheats, mods, or legitimate software updates to trick users into installation. Once active on a device, they silently extract saved passwords, cryptocurrency wallet information, and other sensitive data.
According to cybersecurity experts, this type of malware targets a wide range of browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, and Brave. The sophisticated design allows attackers to access credentials across multiple services from a single compromised device.
Boris Cipot, a senior security engineer at Black Duck, explained to SC Media: “Infostealer breaches like this do not just expose isolated accounts, they create a long-term attack surface that gives cybercriminals opportunities across every aspect of our digital lives.” This highlights how one infection can compromise a user’s entire digital presence.
Binance Response and Protection Measures
Binance representatives clarified that their exchange systems remain secure, stating: “Infostealer is a known malware variant that steals user credentials when the users’ devices are compromised. Those are not leaks from Binance.” The incident represents a data leak from end-user devices rather than a breach of the exchange’s core systems.
To protect users, Binance actively monitors dark web marketplaces for exposed credentials. When compromised accounts are identified, the exchange initiates password resets, revokes active sessions, and alerts affected users. These proactive measures help minimize damage from credential theft.
Deddy Lavid, CEO of blockchain cybersecurity company Cyvers, noted that the industry continues to shift toward “prevention-first security models that can detect and stop suspicious activity before funds are moved, alongside strong user hygiene such as hardware-based MFA and secure password practices.”
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— 🚨 Cyvers Alerts 🚨 (@CyversAlerts) January 15, 2026
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Protecting Yourself Against Credential Theft
As infostealer malware becomes more widespread, users must strengthen their security habits to protect accounts and devices. Experts recommend using reputable antivirus software, keeping operating systems and applications updated, and enabling multi-factor authentication on all accounts, especially financial and cryptocurrency services, where hardware-based MFA offers the strongest protection.
Users should also use unique, complex passwords for every service and store them in a password manager to prevent credential reuse attacks. At the same time, caution is critical when downloading software from unofficial sources, as game mods, cracks, and cheats often contain hidden malware designed to steal sensitive data.
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