After the 16 billion data breach: The ultimate security self-check manual that every encryption user should keep.

Recently, a data breach incident that is said to be the “largest scale in history” has been confirmed by longer cybersecurity researchers. A massive database containing up to 160 billion login credentials is circulating on the dark web, with its sources affecting almost all of the mainstream platforms we use daily, including Apple, Google, Facebook, GitHub, and more.

This is no longer a routine data breach, but a blueprint for a global hacker attack that can be “massively weaponized.” For every one of us living in the digital age, especially users holding cryptocurrency assets, this is akin to an imminent security storm. This article will provide you with the ultimate security self-check manual; please check against it immediately to strengthen your asset defenses.

1. The threat goes beyond passwords: The “fatal” aspect of this leak

To understand the importance of defense, one must first understand the severity of threats. The reason this leak is deadly is that it contains sensitive information far beyond what has been seen before:

“Credential stuffing” attack: Attackers are using leaked “email + password” combinations to attempt to log in to major cryptocurrency exchanges on a large scale and in an automated manner. If you have used the same or similar passwords across different platforms, your exchange account is highly likely to be directly compromised without your awareness.

Email Taken as the “Universal Key”: Once an attacker gains control of your primary email (such as Gmail) through leaked passwords, they can use the “forgot password” feature to reset all your associated financial and social accounts, rendering your SMS or email verification meaningless.

The Achilles’ Heel of Password Managers: If the master password strength of the password manager you are using is insufficient, or if 2FA is not enabled, then once an attacker breaks in, all the website passwords, mnemonic phrases, private keys, and API keys that you believe are securely stored will be compromised at once.

Precise “social engineering” phishing: Scammers can use your leaked personal information (name, email, commonly used websites, etc.) to masquerade as exchange customer service, DAO administrators, or even friends you are familiar with, conducting highly customized and unpredictable precise phishing scams.

2. Action Manual: A Multi-Layer Defense System from Account to Chain

In the face of industrial-level security threats, we need to establish a multi-layered defense system.

1. Account Layer Defense: Reinforce Your Digital Gateway

Password Management

This is the most fundamental and urgent step. Please immediately change to a brand new, independent, complex password consisting of uppercase and lowercase letters + numbers + symbols for all key accounts (especially exchanges and email).

2FA Upgrade

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the “second lock” on your account, but its security levels vary. Please disable and replace SMS 2FA verification on all platforms immediately! It is highly susceptible to SIM swapping attacks. Please switch entirely to more secure verification apps like Google Authenticator. For accounts holding large assets, a hardware security key can be used, which is currently the safest protection method at the consumer level.

2. On-chain defense: Clean up the hidden “backdoors” of your wallet

Wallet security is not only about private keys. Your interactions with decentralized applications (DApps) may also pose risks. Please immediately use professional tools like DeBank and Revoke.cash to thoroughly check which DApps your wallet address has granted token unlimited 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, close any potential “backdoors” that could be exploited by hackers, and prevent your assets from being stolen without your knowledge.

3. Mental Layer Defense: Establishing a “Zero Trust” Security Perspective

Beyond technical defenses, mindset and habits are the last line of defense.

Establish a “Zero Trust” Principle: In the current severe security environment, please maintain the highest level of vigilance towards any requests for signatures, private keys, authorizations, or wallet connections, as well as any links sent proactively through email, direct messages, etc. — even if it comes from friends you trust (as their accounts may also have been compromised).

Develop the habit of accessing official channels: Always use your saved bookmarks or manually enter the official website address to access exchange or wallet websites. This is the most effective way to prevent phishing sites.

Security is not a one-time operation, but a discipline and habit that needs to be maintained over the long term. In a digitally perilous world, prudence is the only and ultimate way to protect our wealth.