126.0 2012 Data Breach
ObscureIQ Breach Intelligence
Low SeverityWebsite / service breach
126.com NetEase Email Platform Breach (2012): 7.3 Million User Accounts Including Passwords Exposed
NetEase webmail service (126.
Verified by ObscureIQ Intelligence
17/100Breach Risk Index
3Data Value
25Market Recency
584dSince Breach
Breach Intelligence Summary
Entity: 126.0 · Actor: Unknown · Sources: 5 references
Attack: Unknown
Profile: Technology Company · Email, web portal, and digital communication services · Email and web portal provider · China
Timeline: Breach (2012-01-01) · Indexed (Dec 01, 2024) · Year (2012)
Exposure: 7.3M records · 2 fields: Email Address, Password
Status: Unverified
Executive Summary
A dataset attributed to NetEase’s 126.com email service, dated to around January 2012, contains roughly 7.3 million accounts with email addresses and plaintext passwords. HIBP lists the breach as unverified due to the difficulty of confirming Chinese breaches.
ObscureIQ assessment: Severe risk of account takeover, phishing, and compromise of other services that rely on email-based recovery. Email accounts are especially dangerous because they serve as identity pivots.
Breach Impact
If accurate, plaintext email/password pairs enable immediate account access and credential stuffing, particularly dangerous for an email provider where the account is a recovery hub for other services.
About 126.0
126.com is a long-running Chinese web-based email service operated by NetEase, alongside its sister service 163.com.
Why They Hold Your Data
Email and web-portal providers collect user identity, account credentials, messages, recovery-related data, and service-linked activity across communications workflows.
Recent Developments
126.com remains a widely used Chinese email provider; the leaked dataset dates to the early-2010s wave of Chinese site breaches.
Data Points Exposed
2 verified field types
Email Address
Password Critical
Field names are shown in full for clarity and search visibility. Canonical machine keys are emitted only in this page’s structured data.
Exploitation & Downstream Threats
Threat Activity:Moderate
Primary downstream threats:
- Credential stuffing against reused passwords across other platforms
- Targeted phishing campaigns using exposed email addresses
Threat vectors:
- Phishing, credential stuffing & account takeover
- Credential stuffing & account takeover
Recommended Actions
If you believe your information may be included:
Change Reused Passwords
Update this account and anywhere you reused the password; use a manager.
Enable MFA Everywhere
Turn on multi-factor authentication on email first, then financial accounts.
Report & Recover
If you spot misuse, start an official recovery plan and report fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the 126.0 breach?▾
A dataset attributed to NetEase’s 126.com email service, dated to around January 2012, contains roughly 7.3 million accounts with email addresses and plaintext passwords. HIBP lists the breach as unverified due to the difficulty of confirming Chinese breaches.
What data was exposed?▾
Verified fields include Email Address, Password.
What should I do if I was affected?▾
Change reused passwords, enable MFA, and (if identity or financial data is involved) freeze your credit and monitor your accounts.
Sources & References
Every claim on this page is traceable. This breach draws on:
Breach Index
Breach Index
Cross-source
9ghz
Cross-source
BreachForums_Official_Index
ObscureIQ Intelligence
ObscureIQ proprietary analysis
Protect Yourself
Check If You're Affected
Enter your email to check whether your data appears in this breach. We’ll send a 6-digit code to confirm it’s your address.
Get Free Breach Alerts
Be the first to know when new breaches are disclosed. Free forever — confirm your email with a 6-digit code.
High-Risk? Get an Exposure Audit
Executives, public figures, and high-visibility operators can receive tailored exposure intelligence and hardening guidance.
Request Consultation