Opera has sent out emails to all Opera sync users informing them to reset their passwords after the browser-maker detected a breach earlier this week. Opera says that it detected signs of an attack “where access was gained to the Opera sync system”. After quickly blocking the intruder(s), Opera has launched investigations into the breach and believes that user's passwords and account information such as login name were stolen, and as a result, urged users to update their passwords.

Opera does have some safeguards in place for the passwords it stores, in the statement it said:

“Although we only store encrypted (for synchronized passwords) or hashed and salted (for authentication) passwords in this system, we have reset all the Opera sync account passwords as a precaution...In an abundance of caution, we have encouraged users to also reset any passwords to third party sites they may have synchronized with the service.”

If you have been impacted by the breach you will be emailed by Opera explaining the situation, and given a link to go to where you can reset your password. If for some reason you haven't received this link, head over to the password resetting page.

The breach affects about 1.7 million Opera users or less than 0.5% of the total user base. In total, Opera claims to have 350 million users. Those without sync enabled are unharmed by the hack and therefore don't need to do anything.

Source: Opera