What Happened
In the first half of 2021, attackers collected data from hundreds of millions of public LinkedIn profiles and later sold it online.
This was not a traditional data breach because the data came from public profiles, not private LinkedIn systems.
Still, the information was shared widely in hacking communities. The scraped data included about 400 million records, with 125 million unique email addresses, as well as names, locations, genders, and job titles.
How to Stay Safe
Click “Sign in“
Click “Forgot Password?“
Enter your email
Click “Next“
Enter the 6-digit code from email
Click “Submit“
Create a new password and repeat it
Click “Submit“
Also, turn on Two-Factor Authentication, so your account is harder to access even if your password is compromised again in the future.
Here’s How to Turn On 2FA:
Click “Me” in the top right-hand corner of your LinkedIn profile
Click “Settings & Privacy“
Click “Sign in & security“
Click “Two-factor authentication“
Click “Set up“
Enter the 6-digit code from email
Click “Submit“
Choose “Phone Number (SMS)“ from drop down
Click “Continue“
Enter phone number and password
Click “Send code“
Enter the 6-digit code from SMS
Click “Authenticate“
Also, be careful with unexpected messages about jobs, recruiters, business offers, or LinkedIn profile updates.
Since this breach included email addresses, names, locations, genders, and job titles, scammers could use these details to make messages feel personal and professional.
Why This Breach Matters
Even though this breach happened back in 2021, leaked data doesn't just expire. It keeps getting bought, sold, and reused by scammers.
And even if you've never used this exact site before, your email may have still ended up in it through a partner, data broker, or another service behind the scenes.
If you've ever reused this password anywhere else, it's worth taking a minute to secure it now.
Still need help?
Contact us