Data breaches happen all the time, and finding out whether your details were affected can be challenging.

Most companies that have data breaches tend not to disclose much information, usually claiming only that a subset of users was affected and that they take data security seriously, and then move on with their day.

That’s where a free service like Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) comes in.

This service is free and run by cybersecurity industry veteran Troy Hunt. Troy often gains access to leaked data, sometimes before a company announces a breach.

Troy uploads leaked data sets to his website, where you can check whether your email address was included in past, present, or future data breaches.

All you have to do is enter your email address to see if it was found in a data breach.

Typically, email addresses are tied to other bits of information about you, such as your address, your credit card information, and other personal data.

By searching your email address, you can see which breaches your email address was included in and what other information about you may have been leaked.

It’s going to give you an indication of which types of your data might be available on the dark web for cybercriminals to exploit.

With that knowledge, you’re better prepared if someone were to get in contact in the future, trying to exploit the data they found about you to get you to do something or scam you out of something.

  • If you know your data has been leaked in a breach, it’s easier to keep on top of it and take important steps:

  • Change your password for any affected accounts, ideally using a strong and unique password for each service.

  • Enable multi-factor authentication if it is available.

  • Watch for suspicious activity such as unexpected emails, login alerts, or password reset requests.

If sensitive data, such as financial information, has been exposed, consider alerting your bank or credit provider and monitoring your statements closely.

Troy also runs a service called Pwned Passwords.

If you’ve got a favourite password that you use all the time (which you shouldn’t be doing!), enter it on this website, and it will tell you if that password has been part of a breach.

If your password has been exposed, you can no longer use it; it’s compromised, and you need to change it everywhere you use it to a unique one!