The hits_imap Dump: 7,091 Email Logins Leaked on Telegram

In July 2026, HEROIC analysts discovered a file named hits_imap uploaded by a Telegram user, containing 7,091 records of email addresses and plaintext passwords used to access mail accounts over IMAP, the protocol used by email clients to retrieve messages. Why This Is Dangerous: IMAP credentials let an attacker log directly into someone's mailbox using an ordinary email client, often without triggering the security alerts that come with logging in through a webmail portal. That means an attacker can quietly read, search, and download years of email, including password reset links, financial statements, and personal conversations. What Was Exposed: - Email addresses - Plaintext passwords - URLs or mail server addresses tied to each account Why This Matters: Email is the recovery point for most other online accounts. Anyone who gains IMAP access to your mailbox can use it to reset passwords on your banking, shopping, and social media accounts, turning one leaked email login into a much wider account takeover. How This Combolist Works: Files labeled hits typically come from credential checking tools that test large batches of stolen logins against IMAP mail servers, keeping only the ones confirmed to work. The result is a list of accounts known to be currently accessible, which is what makes a hits file more dangerous than a raw, unverified dump. Check If You Are Affected: Check your email address against HEROIC's free breach scanner, which searches more than 400 billion exposed records, to see if your mailbox is part of this or any other leak.