The Telegram Stealer Log: 2,397 Email Addresses and Passwords Exposed

In May 2023, a Telegram user quietly uploaded a stealer log file to a dark web chanel, exposing 2,397 records belonging to real people. The data included email addresses, plaintext passwords, and URLs — the kind of combination that gives cybercriminals everything they need to compromise accounts across multiple platforms. This breach is a textbook example of how stealer logs silently harvest credentails from infected devices before surfacing on underground markets.

Why This Is Dangerous

Stealer logs are among the most actionable types of stolen data on the dark web. Unlike database dumps that may contain outdated information, stealer logs capture credentials in real time from infected machines. The plaintext passwords in this dataset mean attackers do not need to crack anything — they can plug credentials directly into login forms across banking, email, and social media platforms. Combined with the URLs also exposed, attackers know exactly which services each victim uses.

What Was Exposed

• Email Addresses
• Plaintext Passwords
• URLs

Why This Matters

With 2,397 records exposed, this may seem like a smaller breach — but size is irrelevant when plaintext passwords are involded. Each record represents a real person whose login credentials are now available to any bad actor who purchased or downloaded the file. Password reuse is epidemic, meaning a stolen credential from one site often unlocks accounts on dozens of others. The fact that this data was distributed through Telegram — a platform with minimal oversight — means it spread quickly and widely.

How Stealer Log Breaches Work

Stealer logs originate from infostealer malware installed on victim devices — often through phishing emails, malicious downloads, or compromised software. Once installed, the malware silently captures browser-saved passwords, cookies, and session tokens, then transmits them to a command-and-control server. Threat actors compile these logs and sell or share them on Telegram channels and dark web forums, where they are downloaded and used for credential stuffing attacks, account takeovers, and identity fraud.

Check If You Are Affected

HEROIC's free breach scanner searches across more than 400 billion records — including stealer logs like this one — to tell you instantly whether your email or password has been exposed. If your data appears in this breach or any other, you will receive an alert with clear next steps to secure your accounts. Run a free scan now and find out exactly what the dark web knows about you.