HEROIC Analysts Discover 472 mail.ru Credentials in Telegram Leak

HEROIC's threat intelligence team discovered a stealer log labeled "mail.ru" circulating on a Telegram channel on June 29, 2026. The file contained 472 records stolen from infected devices, each revealing an email address, a plaintext password, and URLs the victim visited. This discovery highlights how cybercriminals continue to use Telegram as a distribution hub for stolen credential data.

Why Stolen mail.ru Credentials Put You at Risk

Mail.ru is one of the largest email providers in Eastern Europe and is widely used as a primary login for dozens of online services. When attackers obtain plaintext passwords for mail.ru accounts, they gain immediate access without needing to crack any hashing or encryption. A compromised mail.ru inbox can be used to reset passwords on banking, shopping, and social media accounts, giving the attacker control over a victim's entire digital life.

What Was Exposed in This Stealer Log

• Email addresses associated with mail.ru accounts and other linked services
• Plaintext passwords that are immediately usable without any cracking
• URLs revealing the websites and platforms victims accessed from infected devices

Why This Matters for Account Security

Even 472 credentials can cause significant damage when used in automated credential stuffing attacks. Attackers load stolen email and password pairs into bots that test them against popular services like PayPal, Amazon, Netflix, and corporate VPNs. Because password reuse remains widespread, a plaintext password from one breach frequently unlocks accounts on unrelated platforms. This chain reaction turns a single stealer log into a tool for identity theft, financial fraud, and unauthorized data access.

How Info-Stealing Malware Harvests Your Data

Stealer logs are produced by a category of malware known as infostealers. These programs are often bundled with pirated software, fake browser updates, or malicious email attachments. Once a device is infected, the malware silently extracts saved passwords, browser cookies, autofill data, and session tokens. The collected data is compiled into a log file and transmitted to the attacker's server. From there, logs are sold or shared on marketplaces and Telegram channels. The mail.ru stealer log found by HEROIC was distributed freely, meaning anyone in the channel could download and exploit these 472 credentials.

Check If Your mail.ru Account Was Compromised

If you use mail.ru or have ever registered for a service with a mail.ru email address, your credentials may be circulating in this or similar stealer logs. HEROIC's free breach scanner lets you search more than 400 billion compromised records to determine whether your email or password has been exposed. Finding out early allows you to change your password and activate two-factor authentication before someone else gains access to your accounts.