How to Check if Your Password Was Leaked (Have I Been Pwned Guide)
Millions of passwords are leaked every year. Here is how to use 'Have I Been Pwned' to check if yours is one of them.
The Reality of Data Breaches
Companies get hacked. LinkedIn, Adobe, Canva... huge lists of emails and passwords land on the dark web constantly. It's not a matter of "if", but "when" one of the services you use will be compromised.
What is "Have I Been Pwned"?
Created by security expert Troy Hunt, haveibeenpwned.com (HIBP) is the gold standard for checking data breaches. It aggregates billions of leaked records so you can search for your email safely.
How to Use It
- Go to the website.
- Enter your email address (don't worry, the site is safe and trusted by governments).
- Green Screen? Good news! Your email wasn't found in their database.
- Red Screen? You've been "Pwned". Scroll down to see which specific service leaked your data.
The Danger: Credential Stuffing
If your password for Adobe was leaked in 2013, why does it matter today? Because hackers know people reuse passwords.
They take that old Adobe email/password combo and try it on Netflix, Amazon, Spotify, and your bank. This automated attack is called Credential Stuffing.
Pro Tip: The "Notify Me" Feature
You don't have to check the site every day. Click "Notify Me" on HIBP, enter your email, and verify it. Troy Hunt will send you an email the moment your address appears in a new breach.