albany.edu Contains Exactly 20,682 Stolen Email and Password Pairs

HEROIC analysts identified this stealer log on 10-Jun-2026. The breach exposed 20,682 records, with stolen data including email addresses, plaintext passwords, and URLs. The source is identified as albany.edu, uploaded by a Telegram user.

Why This Is Dangerous

The albany.edu breach targets the University at Albany community, exposing 20,682 email addresses and passwords associated with educational accounts. University email accounts often provide access to academic systems, library resources, research databases, and campus networks. When these credentials are stolen, attackers can impersonate students and staff, access sensitive academic data, and potentially pivot into connected institutional systems.

What Was Exposed

• Email addresses (albany.edu accounts)
• Plaintext passwords
• URLs (website addresses where each credential was used)

Why This Matters

Educational institutions are increasingly targeted in data breaches because university accounts often have access to research data, financial systems, and personal student records. The albany.edu breach exposes over 20,000 individuals to account takeover. If the same password is used on personal email, banking, or social media, the risk spreads far beyond the university network. Students and staff who have not changed their passwords since this data was collected are particularly vulnerable.

How a Stealer Log Works

Stealer malware captures credentials stored in web browsers on infected devices. Students and staff may encounter this malware through phishing emails, fake academic software, or file-sharing links. The malware runs invisibly, collects all saved login data, and transmits it to the attacker. These credentials are then packaged and shared in criminal networks, putting thousands of people at risk.

Check If You Are Affected

HEROIC offers a free breach scanner that searches 400 billion records. Search your email address now to see if your credentials appear here or elsewhere. Free, takes seconds.