How to Check If Your Password Was Leaked Online (And What to Do About It)

In today’s digital world, data breaches happen all the time, and your login credentials may have been exposed without you even knowing. A leaked password can put your personal information, finances, and even your identity at risk. So how do you check if your password has been compromised, and what should you do if it has? Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Use a Password Leak Checker

The easiest way to check if your password has been exposed is to use a trusted online tool. Here are a few reliable options:

🔍 Have I Been Pwned? (haveibeenpwned.com)

• Enter your email address to see if it was involved in any known data breaches.
• You can also check if a specific password has been leaked by using their “Pwned Passwords” tool (don’t enter real passwords you use!).

🔍 Google’s Password Checkup

• If you use Google Chrome, go to passwords.google.com and click “Check Passwords.”
• Google will scan your saved passwords and alert you if any have been compromised.

🔍 Firefox Monitor (monitor.firefox.com)

• Similar to Have I Been Pwned, this tool checks if your email was part of a data breach.
• You can sign up for alerts to be notified of future leaks.

Step 2: Change Your Passwords Immediately

If your password has been leaked, don’t panic—just take action right away.

1. Change the password for the affected account—and make sure it’s strong and unique.
2. If you reused the password on multiple sites, change it everywhere (never reuse passwords!).
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for added security—this makes it much harder for hackers to access your account, even if they have your password.

Step 3: Start Using a Password Manager

A password manager helps you create, store, and autofill strong passwords so you don’t have to remember them. Some good options include:

✅ Bitwarden (free and open-source)
✅ 1Password (great for teams and families)
✅ Dashlane (secure and easy to use)
✅ LastPass (popular but had past security issues)

A password manager will also alert you if your credentials appear in a breach, helping you stay proactive.

Step 4: Stay Ahead of Future Breaches

Here’s how to reduce your risk of future password leaks:

• Use unique passwords for every account—no more reusing the same one!
• Sign up for breach alerts (Have I Been Pwned or Firefox Monitor will notify you).
• Update your passwords regularly, especially for important accounts like email and banking.
• Avoid storing passwords in browsers—use a password manager instead.

Final Thoughts

Your password is your first line of defense against hackers. If your password has been leaked, act fast—change it, enable 2FA, and start using a password manager to keep your accounts safe.

Need help improving your cybersecurity? Contact us for expert IT security solutions!