Yahoo says "state-sponsored" hackers stole information from about 500 million users in what appears to be the largest publicly disclosed cyber-breach in history.

The breach included swathes of personal information, including names and emails, as well as “unencrypted security questions and answers”.

The hack took place in 2014 but has only now been made public.

The FBI has confirmed it is investigating the claims.

The data taken includes names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth and encrypted passwords, but not credit card data, Yahoo said.

The company said the information was "stolen by what we believe is a state-sponsored actor" but did not say which country it held responsible.