Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesUse two separate checks: an email lookup to see whether an address appears in known breach records, and a password lookup to see whether a specific password has appeared in breach data. If a password matches, stop using it and replace it anywhere you used it. A match shows known exposure, not proof that someone has accessed your account.
What an email breach check can—and cannot—tell you
An email-address lookup searches known breach records for that address. A result may identify a breached service and categories of data involved, helping you decide which accounts to review. It does not establish that every account using the address is compromised or that anyone has logged in. Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) explains the scope and interpretation of its breach records in its FAQ.
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Visit a trusted breach-notification service directly, rather than following a link in an unsolicited message, and check the email addresses you use for important accounts. Review the listed services and exposed data categories. Prioritize accounts where the breach may have included passwords or other information that could help someone access the account.
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A password lookup answers a different question: whether a particular password has appeared in known breach data. HIBP’s separate Pwned Passwords service checks passwords against its corpus. HIBP says the password is hashed in the browser; only the first five characters of its SHA-1 hash are sent to the API, and the comparison is completed on the user’s side.
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- Use the service’s own password-check page, not an unfamiliar checker or a breach-dump website.
- Never paste a current password into a search engine or send it to an unknown site.
- If the password appears in the results, treat it as exposed and replace it. Do not keep using it because it is combined with a different username or a predictable variation.
HIBP describes its breach-account data and Pwned Passwords as separate systems: its account service stores email addresses with breach metadata, while the password service stores password hashes without linking them to an email address or identity. This is HIBP’s description of its own systems, not a guarantee about other checkers. Its storage explanation was updated 22 March 2026: HIBP data and storage details.
What to do when a password is flagged
- Open the affected service safely. Use its official app or type its known address into your browser; do not use a password-reset link from an unexpected message.
- Change the password on that service. If you cannot sign in or suspect someone else has control of the account, use the service’s official account-recovery channel and follow its support instructions.
- Replace every reused version. Change the same password anywhere else you used it, including accounts with predictable alterations such as an added number or punctuation mark. The Australian Cyber Security Centre advises changing affected and reused passwords and enabling MFA where possible in its consumer cyber security guide.
- Use a unique replacement. A password manager can generate and store a different password for each account. If you create one yourself, NIST’s consumer guidance recommends at least 15 characters; a long passphrase can be easier to remember. Avoid merely adding a character to the old password, since predictable changes do not make an exposed credential safe. See NIST’s password guidance.
- Turn on MFA where the service offers it. Prioritize the affected account and the email account used for password recovery. Available methods vary by service; NIST describes authenticator apps, push prompts, text codes and USB security keys, and notes that methods differ in security, with text codes particularly vulnerable. Check that a method is supported by the account and your devices.
NIST recommends changing passwords when there is evidence of compromise rather than imposing routine periodic changes, because people often make predictable changes. Its password FAQ explains the rationale. A known-compromised password is a reason to change it; an arbitrary calendar interval is not a substitute for unique credentials and MFA.
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How to interpret a clean result
A positive result means the email address or password appears in data known to the service performing that lookup. It does not by itself prove current account access, identity theft, or that every account associated with the email or password was accessed. A clean result is not proof of safety either: breach lookups cover only data known to that service and cannot rule out phishing, malware, or exposure that has not been reported or indexed. HIBP’s FAQ and Pwned Passwords information describe what those checks cover.
When the account may already be taken over
An exposure-list match alone is not evidence that someone has taken over the account. If you see signs of unauthorized access or cannot regain control, go directly to the service’s official recovery channel and use its instructions. Change any reused passwords on other accounts you can still access, and enable MFA where available. The exact recovery steps depend on the service; there is no single recovery sequence that applies to every account.
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- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Why unique passwords and MFA matter
Each account should have its own password so that a credential exposed at one service cannot be used unchanged at another. A password manager with a generator can make unique passwords easier to create and store. MFA adds another check at sign-in and can help protect an account even if its password is compromised, though the available methods and their security differ by service. NIST’s SP 800-63B-4 also requires verifiers following that standard to compare a proposed password against a blocklist of commonly used, expected or compromised passwords; that is a requirement for those verifiers, not a reason to submit passwords to arbitrary websites.
Quick Recap
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- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 via USB and tap it to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
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