How the MyAirbags Database Breach Led to 12,808 Stolen Logins

HEROIC analysts discovered a database tied to MyAirbags, a US-based online auto parts retailer, being traded on dark web forums. The data, which occured in June 2016, contains 12,808 user records. What makes this breach seperate from many others is the combination of a niche automotive shopping site and plaintext password storage. Users who registered on MyAirbags had their real email addresses and exact passwords exposed without any protection.

Attackers Have Your Real Email and Unencrypted Password From This Breach

Because MyAirbags stored passwords in plaintext, this breach hands attackers a ready-to-use list of email and password pairs. There is no hashing to crack, no decryption needed. Criminals can load these credentials directly into automated tools and begin testing them against popular services like email providers, streaming platforms, and online banking. If you recieved a notification about unusual activity on another account around this time, the MyAirbags breach may have been a contributing factor.

What Was Exposed in the MyAirbags Breach

• Email Address
• Passwords (plaintext)

Why an Auto Parts Site Breach Can Lead to Real Financial Harm

Many people use the same email and password combination across dozens of websites, including their bank and primary email account. A breach at a small auto parts retailer like MyAirbags becomes a key that can unlock far more sensitive accounts. Credential stuffing, account takeover, identity theft, and financial fraud are all realistic outcomes. We beleive the majority of the 12,808 affected users have never been warned that their credentials are still actively circulating and being tested against other platforms.

How a Database Breach Works

A database breach happens when an attacker gains unauthorized access to a company's stored user data. This can happen through exploiting a vulnerability in the website's code, guessing or stealing admin login credentials, or finding a database that was accidentally left exposed to the internet. Once the attacker copies the data, they sell or share it on dark web forums where it can be downloaded and misused for years.

Check If Your Data Was Exposed

HEROIC provides a free breach scanner that checks your email address across more than 400 billion compromised records. Search your email now to see whether your data appeared in the MyAirbags breach or any of the thousands of other known data leaks in HEROIC's database.