Bad passwords? Fix 'em!

After 16 billion passwords leak, it's time to change yours up.

Author

Leander Kahney
June 20, 2025

The sun is shining and summer is finally here, which means this weekend is the perfect time to hunker down in a darkened room and fix your horrible passwords.

Earlier this week, there was an alarming report that 16 billion passwords had leaked online, including login credentials for Apple, Facebook, Google and other major players. It’s been described as one of the largest cybersecurity data breaches of all time.

It’s unclear, however, if this giant cache is the result of new data breaches or is a mega-bundle from previous security leaks.

Nonetheless, password leaks are an ongoing headache, and this latest cache is the perfect excuse to take a look at your own data practices.

Apple’s Passwords app actually makes it pretty easy to fix dodgy credentials, and you can tackle this chore right on your iPhone. Here’s the best way to go about it.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • Apple just launched a genius new marketing campaign: a customizable PowerPoint presentation to convince your parents to buy you a Mac for college.

  • For years, I’ve been converting U.K. radio shows to MP3 using dodgy online tools, which have recently become mostly unusable thanks to misleading “download” buttons and other adware crap. The 4K YouTube to MP3 app is a much better option.

  • I didn’t think Apple’s wonderful but pricey AirPods Max headphones were all that popular, but I see them everywhere here in San Francisco. Here’s how to save a few bucks on them. And check out the crazy-looking new cans from Nothing in the X posts below. Don’t miss the other posts, too -- they’re all gold today!

  • In honor of World Wi-Fi Day (wait, you’ve never heard of it? I’m surprised!) here’s an appreciation of Ethernet!

  • For some unfathomable reason, one of my sons has decided to teach himself Latin. No idea why! He’s using a gamified language app very much like this one we have on sale. And yeah, it supports Latin, too! Carpe diem!

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Protect yourself online by changing bad old passwords

Apple’s new Passwords app makes it easy to find out which of your passwords leaked so you can change passwords right on your iPhone.

Want a Mac for college? Apple’s clever PowerPoint could seal the deal.

Apple marketing for back to school brings us "The Parent Presentation," a template for college-bound kids in want of a free (to them) Mac.

A message from 4K YouTube to MP3 

How to convert YouTube videos to MP3 files

Learn how to convert YouTube videos to MP3 files by using one of the easiest methods around. Just get the 4K Download to MP3 app.

On World Wi-Fi Day, let’s celebrate Ethernet

As great as Wi-Fi is, Ethernet still plays a crucial role in computing. Here’s how to add it to your Mac or iPad, and why you want to.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Save $50 on any color of AirPods Max while you can

Here's your chance to get a solid deal on any color of AirPods Max with USB-C, Apple's noise-canceling over-ear headphones.

This addictive app turns learning a language into a game

Multiple learning modes like matching games, dictation and Q&As immerse you in your language goals with the Qlango language learning app.

Today in Apple history: Apple's eWorld online service goes live

On June 20, 1994, Apple launched eWorld, an online service for Mac owners that was designed to compete with AOL and similar properties.

Mac Studio-wielding designer adores dual Studio Displays [Setups]

A designer with a Mac Studio loves dual Studio Displays. They discuss the monitors' benefits while others debate Mac Studio vs. Mac mini.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

(After returning from India) my head had been shaved, I was wearing Indian cotton robes, and my skin had turned a deep, chocolate brown-red from the sun. So I’m sitting there and my parents walked past me about five times and finally my mother came up and said, “Steve?” and I said, “Hi!”

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Favorite headphone brand?

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Results from yesterday’s poll: iPhone mirroring in the EU. What should Apple do?

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