Strath.ac.uk Data Leak: 2,408 Emails and Passwords Exposed

In May 2026, HEROIC analysts identified a combolist file uploaded by a Telegram user containing 2,408 records tied to strath.ac.uk. The file included email addresses, plaintext passwords, and associated URLs, packaged together as a ready-to-use list of login credentials.

Why This Is Dangerous

Because the passwords in this file were stored in plaintext rather than hashed or encrypted, anyone who downloads the combolist has an immediately usable set of email and password pairs. No cracking or decoding is required, which means attackers can start testing these credentials against other accounts the moment the file lands in their hands.

What Was Exposed

• Email addresses
• Plaintext passwords
• Associated URLs

Why This Matters

Leaked email and password pairs are the fuel behind credential stuffing attacks, where automated tools rapidly test the same combination across banking sites, email providers, and social media platforms. Because so many people reuse passwords across multiple accounts, one exposed login from this combolist can open the door to full account takeover, identity theft, or financial fraud on services that have nothing to do with the original source.

How Combolist Leaks Work

A combolist is a compiled text file that pairs usernames or email addresses with passwords, usually gathered from older breaches, malware infections, or manual scraping and then bundled together for distribution. Telegram channels have become a common place to share these files because they let uploaders reach large audiences quickly and with little accountability. Once a combolist circulates, it tends to get copied and re-shared repeatedly, so the exposure from a single upload can keep resurfacing long after the original post.

Check If You Are Affected

If you have ever used an account associated with strath.ac.uk, it is worth checking whether your credentials appear in this leak. HEROIC's free breach scanner searches a database of more than 400 billion leaked records, giving you an instant answer so you can update any reused passwords before someone else tries them first.