Massive Global Data Breach Triggers Urgent Cybersecurity Alert in Pakistan

Islamabad, May 26 — In the wake of one of the largest data breaches in recent history, Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team (N-CERT) has issued a high-alert advisory following the leak of sensitive data belonging to over 180 million users worldwide, including individuals from Pakistan.

The breach, which compromised data from global tech giants such as Google, Facebook, Apple, Instagram, and Snapchat, has raised serious concerns about widespread cyber vulnerabilities. According to the advisory, even government portals and critical online services have been affected.

N-CERT has warned that the stolen data—now stored in an unsecured online database—is at high risk of being weaponized through automated cyberattacks. This could lead to a surge in identity theft, unauthorized account access, and digital intrusions.

The advisory urges all Pakistani users and institutions to take immediate action, including changing passwords, enabling two-step verification, and avoiding password sharing or insecure storage. It also recommends using trusted password managers and ensuring regular updates to antivirus software and system firewalls.

“Failure to implement necessary cybersecurity measures could compromise national digital infrastructure and impact essential services,” N-CERT warned.

Government departments, financial institutions, and other critical entities have been asked to identify affected users and bolster their cyber defenses. Experts emphasize that vigilance is key in the coming days, as malicious actors may target the exposed data through sophisticated attacks.

Pakistani users are also encouraged to monitor unusual login activities and report any suspicious behavior immediately to prevent further damage.

Read more: Advisories issued as Indian cyber threat group targets Pakistani officials

This breach serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of cybercrime and the urgent need for robust digital security at both individual and institutional levels.