Have you ever imagined that you might be using a compromised email id and password? Shocked? Sadly, it can be true. Past few years have seen a steep rise in security breaches. The user data stored in the data servers of big enterprises like Yahoo, Equifax and many more have been hacked. If you have an account with any such organization then there is a probability that your data is already available on dark web. This scenario can be scarier if you are habitual of using the same password for all your accounts, as it may increase the chances of getting more accounts compromised.
Now if you are thinking how to check that the email and password you are using has been compromised then you are at the right place. This article will help you find if your account is compromised with.
Get Help from Have I Been Pwned?
Have I Been Pwned a website owned by Troy Hunt holds all the username, email ids and passwords that have been publicly leaked. All the leaked data that the website contains is collected from publicly exposed breaches available on various websites including dark web.
If you wish to check if your account is compromised in any data breach then open Have I Been Pwned in your browser. Now in the search bar enter the email that you want to check. Now keep your finger crossed till the results appear as the results will confirm if your email id has ever appeared in any of the data breaches or not.
The website gives complete details regarding the breach in which your data is compromised. Also, it will provide you a brief history of that breach along with the compromised data.
The website also provides you with an option to notified if your email appears in future data breaches. Click on Notify me when I get pwned and enter your email address.
You can also check for your password to make sure if it has appeared in the data leaks. You can click on the Password option at the top of the page or click here to directly access the webpage.
Now enter the password that you want to check in the search bar and click on pwned button.
Unfortunately, if the password you have entered is pawned then it will let you know along with the total number of instances it appeared before in all breaches. If your password is compromised then you must change your password immediately as it increases the chance of getting your other accounts compromised. You can now also consider using the password generated by a password manager. Also, use two-step verification process wherever applicable.
Likewise, if you wish to get notified for your password breach in the future then you can submit the password by clicking on Notify me when I get pwned.
Though, it is never recommended to enter the password on third-party website and especially the one you are currently using. But providing the password on Have I been pwned site is safe as it is trusted by millions.
LastPass:
A software that is used for generating secure password now has an integrated a feature to check for the compromised passwords and email. To use this feature, click on LastPass icon located in toolbar of the browser. Now from the drop-down menu select More options.
Now in the new drop-down menu click on Security Challenge
Now in the new browser window that opens click on Show My Score.
Now the software will check your stored emails in their database that whether they have appeared in security breaches. Then as per your credentials LastPass will let you know how secure is your password. Also, it will ask you to change your password if it is weak.
Also Read: Protect Your Inbox From Phishing And Other Email Attacks
So, guys, if you too want to check that if the email and password you are using has been compromised or not then you can use any one of the above listed methods. And in case you find the password is compromised then immediately change it to a secure password.