With just one data leak, your sensitive information could end up in the hands of hackers. Emails, passwords, phone numbers – everything you’ve ever entered online could now be for sale in the dark corners of the internet. And the worst part? You may not even know it.
That’s why Have I Been Pwned exists – a free service that instantly tells you if your account has been involved in a known data leak. Let’s take a look at how it works and why you should use it.
What is Have I Been Pwned and how does it work?
Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) is a project by Australian security expert Troy Hunt that tracks data leaks and alerts users if their data has been leaked.
How does it all work?
- Enter your email or phone number in the search box.
- The system scans a database of 14.9 billion leaked accounts from more than 880 known leaks.
- If your data has been leaked, you’ll get details – when the leak happened, what information was leaked and what you should do.
It’s not just a theoretical risk – most people have at least one account in some sort of leak. And if you’re using the same password in multiple places, it can be a serious problem.
The biggest data leaks in history – your data may be out there
HIBP records giant leakages affecting hundreds of millions of people. Here are a few of the biggest:
- Collection #1 – 772 million accounts (leaked passwords and emails)
- Verifications.io – 763 million (unprotected database with verification emails)
- Onliner Spambot – 711 million (leaked emails for spam campaigns)
- Facebook – 509 million (phone numbers and user profiles)
- MySpace – 359 million (old accounts that you may not even use anymore)
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. New leaks are added every month – like Samsung Germany Customer Tickets (216,000 accounts) or Boulanger (2 million customers).
What to do if Have I Been Pwned “unmasks” you?
If the system finds your leaked email, don’t panic – take action.
1. Change your password immediately
- If your password has been leaked, change it immediately on all accounts where you use it.
- Never use the same password twice!
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Even if someone gets your password, they can’t get in without a second factor (SMS, authenticator).
3. Monitor suspicious activity
- Check for unusual logins or transactions.
- If your payment details have been leaked, let the bank know.
4. Use a password manager
- 1Password (recommended by HIBP) generates strong passwords and stores them securely.
How to avoid data leaks? Prevention is the key
You can’t completely avoid leaks – but you can minimise the risk:
✅ Use unique passwords – no repeats!
✅ Change passwords regularly – especially for important accounts.
✅ Don’t use weak combinations (password123, qwerty, etc.)
✅ Beware of phishing – don’t click on suspicious links.
Conclusion: don’t wait until it’s too late
Have I Been Pwned is the easiest way to find out if your data is at risk. With just a few seconds, you can avoid disaster.
Check your email today – and if you’re there, act fast. In the digital world, every second is precious.
👉 Visit Have I Been Pwned to check if you are safe.
