A massive new email data breach has exposed more than 183 million accounts, including millions of Gmail users. But before you panic, Google itself was not hacked.
The data leak was caused by Infostealer malware, which infected users’ devices and stole login details, cookies, and authentication tokens directly from their browsers. This information was then compiled into a massive database called “Synthian Stealer Log Threat Data”.
Security researcher Troy Hunt, founder of Have I Been Pwned (HIBP), confirmed that this dataset – which includes email addresses in plain text and matching passwords – has now been added to the HIBP database.
What actually happened?
- This breach was not a direct attack on Google servers or Gmail.
- Instead, users’ own computers and browsers were infected with the Infostealer malware.
- This malware silently recorded every login attempt and saved email-password combinations from various websites, including Gmail, Facebook, and others.
- The stolen data was later dumped online and sold on dark web forums.
According to Synthient LLC, more than 3.5 terabytes of raw data were collected from these malware logs – approximately 23 billion individual records. Of these, 183 million were verified as unique email-password pairs. What’s even more worrying is that about 16.4 million credentials were completely new and had not been seen in any previous leaks.
Who is at risk?
You are at greater risk if you:
- Use the same password for multiple websites.
- Store passwords in your browser without a password manager.
- You haven’t enabled 2-Step Verification (2FA) on your Gmail.
- Download cracked software or questionable browser extensions (these often contain infostealer malware).
Cybersecurity analysts also warn that the Infostealer malware doesn’t just steal passwords — it can capture cookies and login tokens, allowing hackers to bypass 2FA and access accounts even without passwords.
How to check if your email has been compromised?
1. Have I Been Held Hostage (HIBP) Go to:
Enter your email address to see if it appears in any recent data breaches.
2. Use Google’s Password Manager Checkup:
- Go to passwords.google.com
- Select “Check Password”.
- Google will alert you if a saved password is leaked, reused, or weak.
What to do if you are affected?
For individual Gmail users:
Change your password immediately
Make sure it’s strong – use at least 12+ characters, including upper/lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
Turn on 2-Step Verification (2FA)
Use the Google Authenticator app or hardware keys – Avoid SMS-based codes if possible.
Run Google’s Security Checkup
Go to myaccount.google.com/security-checkup to review suspicious logins or connected apps.
Scan your device for malware
Use reliable antivirus software to remove Infostealer-type infections.
Do not reuse passwords
Every website should have a unique password. Use a password manager if necessary (Bitwarden, 1Password, Dashlane, etc.).
For businesses and organizations:
- Enforce strong password policies.
- Make MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) mandatory for all employees.
- Audit credentials regularly using security monitoring tools.
- Train staff to identify phishing and suspicious downloads.
What did Google say?
In a statement to Forbes, Google confirmed:
“This report covers widespread infostealer activity that targeted multiple web platforms. Gmail servers were not compromised. We strongly recommend enabling 2-Step Verification and adopting a passkey for stronger security.”
Google also said that whenever such large credential dumps surface online, they proactively reset affected passwords.
key takeaways
- 183 million accounts leaked – many with Gmail logins.
- Not a Google hack, but a user-side malware infection.
- Passwords were stored in plain text – extremely risky.
- You can check the exposure via Have I Been Pond.
- Take action immediately: change passwords, enable 2FA, and secure your devices.
Final advice
Think of this as a reminder that password leaks now happen frequently, not occasionally. Infostealer malware turns every infected device into a data-mining tool.
so-
- Keep your passwords unique
- Turn on 2FA or Passkey
- Clean and scan your system regularly, And Be alert for suspicious files and emails.
Even if your Gmail hasn’t been affected yet, it’s better to lock your door before the thief arrives.
1. Was Gmail hacked in this 183 million account leak?
No – Gmail or Google’s servers were not hacked. The stolen data came from the Infostellar malware that infected users’ personal computers. This malware recorded logins and passwords from browsers, including Gmail credentials, and stored them in plain text. So, the problem is malware on user devices, not a breach of Google’s systems.
2. How can I check if my Gmail account has been leaked?
You can easily check by visiting Have I Been Pwned and entering your Gmail address – the site will tell you if it appears in the recently leaked “Synthian Stealer Log Threat Data.” If this happens, immediately change your password, enable 2-Step Verification, and run Google’s security check to remove any suspicious access.
