Millions of passwords are stolen every day in data breaches. Recently, no fewer than 224 million new passwords were discovered that had been openly shared. This means that this data is freely available to cybercriminals.
Wondering if your data has been leaked?
You can check the Have I Been Pwned website to see if your details, such as your email address or passwords, have ever been compromised in a hack.
How do hackers get your details?
- If you entered your details on a reliable website or an online service that was hacked, your details and passwords could end up on the internet. There is nothing you can do to prevent this. Even reliable websites can fall victim to cyber criminals. What you can do is think twice before leaving your details on the internet. Always consider whether it is necessary to enter your e-mail address, telephone number, etc. on a website. The less information you share, the less chance there is of it being stolen.
- Be careful with fake emails that try to fish for your information. Fake emails or phishing messages trick you into clicking on a link. If you do, you will end up on an untrustworthy website that has been created with one goal in mind: to obtain your information. If you leave your details here, sooner or later they will be used to scam you or to plunder your bank account.
- Never share your passwords with others, not even with friends, family or colleagues via text message or WhatsApp. With your password, anyone can access your account.
Protect yourself and your accounts
✅ Always set up two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible.
✅ Use unique and strong passwords for each account.
✅ Check regularly to see if your data has been leaked.
