What to Do If Your Password is Leaked

7 Urgent Steps After a Data Breach

Discovering that your password has been leaked in a data breach can be terrifying, but don’t panic. 

There are specific steps you can take right now to limit the damage, regain control, and prevent future attacks.

Let’s walk you through exactly what to do if your password is compromised:

1. Confirm the Breach

Use trusted tools like HaveIBeenPwned.com or Firefox Monitor to see if your email or password has been part of a known breach.

These platforms tell you:

• What sites were breached
• What data was leaked (passwords, emails, credit card info, etc.)

2. Change Your Password Immediately

Change the password for the affected account right away. If you reused that same password on any other platforms, change those too.

Make your new password:

• Unique
• Long (12–16+ characters)
• Complex (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols)

• Use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane to generate and store secure passwords.

3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Even if a hacker has your password, 2FA stops them from accessing your account without a second form of verification.

Examples of 2FA:

• SMS codes (not the most secure)
• Authenticator apps (like Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft Authenticator)
• Hardware security keys (like YubiKey)

2FA turns a simple password leak into a failed hack attempt.

4. Watch for Suspicious Activity

• Login attempts from unknown devices or locations
• Password reset emails you didn’t request
• Unusual purchases, messages, or changes in your account

What to Do:

• Review account activity logs (many sites offer this under settings).
• Log out from all devices if available.
• Report suspicious activity to the platform immediately.

5. Remove Saved Passwords From Your Browser

Browsers like Chrome or Firefox store passwords that can be accessed if your device is compromised.

What to Do:

• Go to your browser settings → Password Manager → Delete passwords for compromised accounts.
• Consider switching to a dedicated password manager that encrypts your data.

6. Beware of Follow-Up Attacks

Hackers often target users after a breach using:

• Phishing emails
• Fake login pages
• Scam messages pretending to be support teams

Protect Yourself:

• Never click on suspicious links.
• Verify senders before replying.
• Type in URLs manually instead of clicking email links.
• Stay updated on scam trends related to breaches.

7. Strengthen All Your Accounts

Use this breach as an opportunity to improve your overall security hygiene:

Go through your key accounts:

• Email
• Banking apps
• Social media
• Cloud storage
• Shopping sites

And:

• Update weak or reused passwords
• Turn on 2FA
• Remove old or unused accounts

Final Checklist: 

What to Do If Your Password is Leaked

Step	🔒 Action
1️⃣	Confirm the breach
2️⃣	Change affected passwords immediately
3️⃣	Enable 2FA on all important accounts
4️⃣	Monitor accounts for suspicious activity
5️⃣	Remove saved passwords from browsers
6️⃣	Be alert for phishing and follow-up scams
7️⃣	Strengthen passwords and security across all accounts

Protect Now, Stress Less Later

The internet is full of threats, but knowledge and quick action are your best weapons. Don’t wait for another breach, take control of your digital security today.