Cybernews reported on Wednesday on its research that resulted in the online discovery of 30 datasets that include 16 billion records of user login information for “pretty much any online service imaginable,” including Apple, Facebook, and Google.

The records include a URL and login information. Since this data is what is often collected by malware, it appears that these records are a result of numerous infostealer attacks. Cybernews states that the datasets do include overlapping records, but the enormity of the data collection makes it difficult to compare individual records in order to conclude how many users have been exposed.

The exposed datasets have not been previously reported, except for one discovered by Jeremiah Fowler that had 185 million unique usernames and passwords. The datasets are also made available temporarily and are taken down after some time. Cybernews states that new databases appear “every few weeks” with “fresh, weaponizable intelligence.” It is also not clear as to the origins of the datasets and who is behind the data collection.

How to protect yourself

To protect yourself from malware, avoid downloading software from repositories such as GitHub and other download sites. Apple has vetted software in the Mac App Store and it is the safest way to get apps. If you prefer not to patronize the Mac App Store, then buy software directly from the developer and their website. If you insist on using cracked software, you will always risk malware exposure.

Never open links in emails or texts you receive from unknown and unexpected sources. If you get a message that looks like it is from an entity that you do business with, check the sender’s email address and inspect the URL carefully. If you see a link or button, you can Control-click it, select Copy Link, and then paste it into a text editor to see the actual URL and check it.

Phishing attacks often involve a user inadvertently visiting a website with a mistyped URL. So, verify the URL you have typed into your browser. Bookmark the sites you visit frequently so you don’t have to type in the URL every time. In some instances, you can use a search engine; type the name of the place you want to visit, and then click on the link after looking at the URL it goes to. For example, type “Macworld” into the search engine you use, and then click on the link that’s designated at www.macworld.com. This way isn’t as efficient, but if you make a typo, you’ll see it in the search and the search engine will steer you in the right direction.

In an instance where you believe your data was exposed in a data breach, there are a few steps to take to protect yourself:

• If you continue to use the service that was breached, change your password and enable two-factor verification.
• Check your credit report and freeze it. This will help block unauthorized approvals to financial services that are being made in your name. If you need to sign up for a service (such as a loan or credit card), you can temporarily unfreeze your account so a credit check can be performed.
• Check your records for all of your financial institutions. If you access them online, change your passwords and enable two-factor verification. Some institutions also provide alerts when attempts are made to access your account.
• Use a service such as Have I Benn Pwned to see if your email address was involved in a data breach.

Apple releases security patches through OS updates, so installing them as soon as possible is important. It’s also important to update the apps on your Mac, which you can do through the App Store or the app’s settings. Macworld has several guides to help, including a guide on whether or not you need antivirus software, a list of Mac viruses, malware, and trojans, and a comparison of Mac security software.

FTX, the bankrupt crypto exchange, has added Payoneer to its creditors’ repayment options, according to a June 10 statement.

The new company would serve as an additional asset distribution channel, alongside BitGo and Kraken.

Payoneer operates a global payments platform across more than 190 countries and territories. Under the agreement, Payoneer will help distribute funds to retail customers in eligible jurisdictions, which aligns with FTX’s ongoing reorganization plan.

This new option will be available for all future distributions made after May 30, 2025.

FTX clarified that customers choosing this method will waive their right to direct US dollar distributions. Instead, the bankrupt exchange will transfer funds to Payoneer, which will credit the customer’s chosen bank account.

The company stressed that the value received will align with each customer’s entitlement under the plan, regardless of currency.

This development follows FTX’s recent completion of two significant repayment phases. The exchange returned nearly $7 billion to creditors across both rounds, roughly $1.8 billion in the first phase and $5 billion in the second.

Notably, retail investors with smaller claims were repaid mainly in full, while larger creditors with claims exceeding $50,000 have faced limits on full recovery.

FTX creditors in Nigeria and China remain excluded

Despite adding Payoneer to the distribution process, FTX’s repayment reach remains incomplete.

Thomas Braziel, a specialist in FTX claims at 117 Partners, pointed out that the new channel primarily benefits customers in India, Indonesia, Japan, and select US states where restrictions on crypto custodians previously blocked payouts.

He furthered that many FTX creditors in key markets like Russia, China, Egypt, and Nigeria remain sidelined from the ongoing repayment process.

Interestingly, creditors from these countries made up a significant portion of FTX’s user base before its collapse. For context, FTX’s data shows that creditors from China alone represent 8% of total claims.

The ongoing lack of access for these regions highlights persistent gaps in FTX’s global asset recovery, raising concerns about fairness and transparency as the process progresses.

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Those in need of a good deal on a fitness smartwatch are in luck this Memorial Day. As part of the holiday sale, Amazon has cut $100 off the price of the Garmin Forerunner 265, which is our favorite smartwatch for runners.

The Forerunner 265 offers a cheaper price point than the 965, and it still includes a bright, color AMOLED display, and a handful of useful training metric programs, activity profiles, and more.

This particular deal is for the 46mm size of the watch, which is available in a few different colors including Aqua and Black, Black Powder and Gray, and Whitestone and Tidal Blue.

Recommended if: you’re looking for a basic Garmin smartwatch with running and fitness features; you prioritize battery life when it comes to a smartwatch; you want a watch with more traditional button controls.

Skip this deal if: you’d rather upgrade to the Forerunner 955 or other watches with advanced mapping features; you want a smartwatch that looks more like a traditional watch and less like a fitness watch.

We’ve picked the Garmin Forerunner 265 as the best running watch around, and in no small part due to its vibrant AMOLED display, the addition of a touchscreen, physical buttons and a highly accurate set of tracking features. Similar to the Forerunner 955 without the inclusion of wilderness maps, the 265 is the perfect pick for most runners and basic fitness enthusiasts, and it still includes GPS.

Garmin says the 265 will get users up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, or up to 20 hours when running in GPS mode. It also includes more than 30 onboard activity profiles, including running, open-water swimming, cycling, triathlons, and a wide range of others, still.