A leak link is a URL that a threat actor presents as a way to download or view allegedly stolen data. It may point to a file-hosting service or a page where files are expected to become available. The link’s presence alone does not prove that data was stolen, that the files are genuine, or that the link works.
In ransomware extortion, attackers may use leak links to create pressure and suggest they have evidence of a breach. Links can be inactive, password-protected, delayed, or removed, and any accessible files still require careful verification. Defenders should preserve relevant evidence, assess links safely in an isolated environment, and validate claimed data against trusted records before drawing conclusions or communicating confirmed exposure.