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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Plex disclosed two separate security incidents: one in August 2022 and another in September 2025. Plex said the incidents involved limited subsets of account data, including email addresses, usernames, and hashed passwords; its 2025 notice also named authentication data. If you sign in with a Plex password, reset it and choose the option to sign out connected devices. If you use Apple or Google sign-in, sign out all sessions through Plex’s security page. Then enable two-factor authentication and save its recovery codes safely.
What happened in the Plex security breaches?
Plex’s public notices describe two incidents, three years apart. The details below reflect Plex’s own statements; the notices do not provide independent forensic confirmation.
| Incident | What Plex said was accessed | Plex’s response guidance |
|---|---|---|
| August 2022 | Email addresses, usernames, and hashed passwords from a limited subset of accounts. Plex said it used bcrypt with salt and pepper to hash passwords. | Plex required password resets as a precaution and recommended signing out connected devices and enabling two-factor authentication. |
| September 2025 | Email addresses, usernames, securely hashed passwords, and authentication data from a limited subset of customer data in one database. | Password sign-ins: reset the password and select the connected-device sign-out option. Apple or Google sign-ins: sign out all sessions through Plex’s security page. |
Plex’s September 8, 2025 notice said an unauthorized third party accessed a limited subset of customer data. Plex said it contained the incident and addressed the method used to access the system. Its August 25, 2022 notice said suspicious database activity was discovered on August 22.
For both incidents, Plex said payment-card data was not exposed because it does not store credit-card data on its servers. That is Plex’s statement about its systems, not an independent assessment.
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Was your Plex account affected?
Plex described the data accessed in both incidents as a “limited subset,” but its notices do not state how many users were affected or identify specific accounts. The notices also do not name an attacker. If you have a Plex account, follow the steps that match your sign-in method rather than trying to determine exposure from an email alone.
A hashed password is not the same as a plaintext password: the notice does not say that readable passwords were accessed. However, hashing is not a guarantee that a password can never be guessed or attacked. Use a strong, unique password for Plex and change it anywhere else you reused it.
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What to do now
If you sign in with a Plex password
- Open a private or incognito browser window and go to Plex directly. Use Plex’s password reset instructions rather than following an unexpected email link.
- Request a reset for the email address associated with your Plex account, then set a strong password that you do not use on other sites.
- When prompted, select “Sign out connected devices after password change” to end active sessions. You will need to sign in again on Plex apps and any Plex Media Server owned by your account.
- If the reset message does not arrive, check the spelling of the account email and look in spam, trash, and promotions folders. If you request more than one reset, use the newest email: later requests invalidate older reset links.
If you sign in with Apple or Google
Plex’s 2025 instructions direct SSO users to sign out all active sessions through the Plex security page. Afterward, sign in again as usual. Plex says this signs devices out, including any Plex Media Server. See its Apple and Google sign-in guidance if you need help with federated sign-in.
Enable two-factor authentication
Plex supports time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) through compatible authenticator apps. Its examples include 1Password, Authy, Google Authenticator, LastPass, and Microsoft Authenticator; these are examples, not required or endorsed products. Plex does not support SMS verification codes. Follow Plex’s two-factor authentication setup instructions.
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During setup, Plex provides ten single-use recovery codes. Store them somewhere you can reach if you lose access to the phone or device running your authenticator, rather than keeping the only copy on that device.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if Plex stops working on your devices or server?
Signing out connected devices ends their sessions, so expect to authenticate again in player apps. If your Plex Media Server shows “not authorized” afterward, Plex says the server may need to be reclaimed or signed in again. Follow the prompts to re-authenticate the server with your Plex account.
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What Plex has and has not disclosed
Plex’s notices identify the broad categories of data involved, but they do not publish a user count, the attacker’s identity, or the specific access method. The 2025 notice says Plex contained the incident and addressed the method used, without providing an independently verifiable forensic timeline. Avoid treating unverified estimates of affected users as official figures.
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