[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fyifn4ay0333r":3},{"success":4,"breach":5},true,{"_id":6,"name":7,"title":8,"slug":9,"domain":10,"breachDate":11,"addedDate":12,"modifiedDate":13,"contentUpdatedAt":14,"source":15,"sourceUrl":16,"sourceUrls":17,"pwnCount":18,"affectedCount":18,"affectedCountStatus":19,"affectedCountLowerBound":20,"affectedCountUnit":21,"hasEnglishDescription":4,"severity":22,"dataClasses":23,"description":27,"seoTitle":16,"seoTitleEn":28,"seoDescription":16,"seoDescriptionEn":29,"logoUrl":30,"isVerified":4,"isSensitive":31,"isSpamList":31,"isMalware":31,"company":32},"68e3266eda11adda48825223","Heroes of Newerth","Heroes of Newerth Data Breach","heroes-of-newerth","heroesofnewerth.com","2012-12-17T00:00:00.000Z","2016-01-24T16:27:23.000Z","2026-07-11T16:31:18.352Z","2026-07-18T23:52:03.374Z","Third party breach","",[],8089103,"known",null,"unknown","Critical",[24,25,26],"Email addresses","Passwords","Usernames","\u003Cp>The Heroes of Newerth data breach is a large-scale game account incident that came to the forefront in December 2012 with the extraction of 8,089,103 accounts from the multiplayer online battle arena game's account system. The verified data types are email addresses, usernames, and password data. Since there are different statements in open sources about the password storage method, this record should be considered within the scope of verified 'password data' rather than a claim of a specific hash algorithm. The reuse of passwords used in game accounts on other services may cause this breach to continue to pose a risk of account takeover even years later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Leaking Data Types and Risks\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The fundamental risk in this breach is that the email address, username, and password data are all present in the same record. The email address and username can be linked to the player's profiles on different platforms. Password data, on the other hand, particularly facilitates account takeover attempts in cases where the same password is reused across email, gaming platforms, forums, marketplaces, or social media accounts. Game accounts can carry not only identity information but also in-game progress, friends lists, tournament histories, and sometimes valuable assets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In competitive gaming communities like Heroes of Newerth, usernames can remain the same for many years. This situation can lead to a connection between an old violation and current game and social profiles. Attackers may send fake content that appears to be old account recovery, in-game rewards, tournament invitations, private server messages, account security checks, or reactivation messages. Since password data is included, this record poses not only a spam risk but also a direct risk of credential reuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Verified Scope and Boundaries\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The number of verified records is 8,089,103 accounts, and the incident belongs to the period of December 2012. The data classes are email addresses, passwords, and usernames. This record is a significant leak in terms of game account login information. Since there are different accounts regarding the exact storage method of the password data, a specific algorithm should not be presented as definitive in the description. The most accurate warning to the user is that this password is no longer considered secure and all accounts using the same password should be updated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unverified fields should also be kept clear in this record. Phone number, physical address, payment card, IP address, date of birth, private messages, in-game purchase history, or official identification document are not among the verified data classes for this record. The magnitude of the incident is expressed as more than 8 million accounts; however, it should not be assumed that each account is current or active. Even if an old game account is closed, the same email, username, or password may have been used on other services.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>User Groups at Risk\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Users at the highest risk are players who reuse the password they use for their Heroes of Newerth account on other accounts. The risk is greater if the same email and password combination is used on the main email account, gaming platforms, forums, or shopping accounts. People who use the same username in different games are also at risk in terms of profile matching and targeted messages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Players who were active in old Heroes of Newerth communities, participated in tournaments, used the same nickname on forums, or might be interested in messages about returning to the game may encounter more convincing social engineering attempts. Attackers can use their old game history to craft fake messages about a relaunch, a nostalgia event, account rewards, or closed beta invitations. Since this record does not contain payment data, it should not be considered a financial card leak; the primary risk is account compromise and game identity matching arising from password reuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Urgent Measures to Be Taken\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Users whose email addresses are visible in this record should no longer consider the password they use for their Heroes of Newerth account to be secure. If the same or similar password is used on other accounts, each of them should be replaced with a unique and strong password. Priority should be given to the main email account, gaming platforms, game marketplaces, forums, social media accounts, and payment-linked services. Two-factor authentication should be enabled on critical accounts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Links in messages that appear to be about old game accounts, free rewards, private servers, tournament invitations, account verification, comeback campaigns, or beta access should be avoided. Accounts should only be accessed through a known domain name or official application. Unknown game clients, mods, cheat tools, or files should not be downloaded. If unexpected password reset messages appear in the email account, sessions should be closed, recovery addresses checked, and two-factor authentication strengthened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Long-Term Security Strategies\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>In the long term, unique passwords for game accounts, separate email aliases, and two-factor authentication provide basic protection. Players should not reuse passwords they used years ago with minor changes. Old game, forum, and community accounts should be reviewed regularly, unused accounts should be closed, and unnecessary visibility of the same username across multiple platforms should be reduced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of game services, this incident shows that username and password data carry high value. The password storage method should be modern and cost-adjusted, all sessions should be terminated after a breach, password reset should be made mandatory, and the user should be provided with a clear risk notification. Even if old game projects have been closed or changed hands, account databases must be protected; accounts in game communities continue to exist with the same identities for many years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Record Control and User Action\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>If your email address appears in this record, identify where else the password you used for Heroes of Newerth may have been used. Immediately change the same or similar passwords. Check for unexpected logins, password resets, or profile changes on game, forum, and social profiles that used your old username. Even if a message knows your old game history, do not use links and files without verification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The correct action in a Heroes of Newerth breach is to completely reset the password, strengthen the main email account, use two-factor authentication, and be cautious against game-themed phishing messages. This record should not be interpreted as a leak of phone, physical address, or payment card; the risk plan should be based on verified email, username, and password data.\u003C\u002Fp>","Heroes of Newerth Data Breach (8.1 Million Reported Records)","Heroes of Newerth Data Breach. 8.1 Million reported records were reported. Reported data: Email addresses, Passwords, Usernames. Review the scope, risks, and…","\u002Fuploads\u002Flogo\u002Fheroesofnewerth_com.webp",false,{"name":7,"sector":33,"country":34,"website":10,"websiteArchiveUrl":16,"websiteStatus":16,"websiteCheckedAt":20},"Gaming","United States"]