What To Do When Your Password Is Exposed in a Data Breach?

Your Password Has Been Exposed, Now What?

Data breaches are alarmingly common, exposing millions of passwords to cybercriminals who can exploit them in ways you may not even realize. If your password is leaked, it is not just an inconvenience; it is something serious and could lead to identity theft, financial fraud, or even total loss of control over your online presence.

The blog covers immediate steps you can take when your password is exposed in a data breach and ways to prevent future data exploitation.

6 Immediate Steps to Take if Your Password Is Exposed in a Data Breach

To minimize the damage occurring after a data breach, you must take some actions immediately:

1.Change Your Password

Changing the compromised password immediately is the most important thing. Prioritize accounts that contain sensitive information, such as banking, email, and social media. Try to keep a different password for each account and make it unguessable.

2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Whenever possible, enable MFA so that logging in to your accounts requires a second form of verification (e.g., a code from your phone).

3. Monitor Your Accounts

Keep a close eye on your financial accounts, credit reports, and other online accounts for any suspicious activity. Look for unauthorized transactions or login attempts. Consider credit monitoring services to alert you to changes in your credit report.

4. Be Aware of Phishing Scams

Data breaches often lead to increased phishing attempts. Be cautious of unrecognized and suspicious emails, text messages, or phone calls asking for personal information.

5. Consider a Credit Freeze

If your sensitive information (e.g., Social Security number) is exposed, consider placing a credit freeze on your credit reports to restrict access to your credit information, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.

6. Utilize a Password Manager

Using a password manager is highly recommended. You can manage, create, and store strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts with PureVPN.

5 Serious Risks If Your Password Is Hacked

If your password is hacked in a data breach, the consequences can be far more than just account compromise. You could be the next target of:

1. Identity Theft & Fraud

Hackers can use your credentials to access sensitive accounts, steal personal information, and impersonate you to commit fraud. This could mean unauthorized purchases, drained bank accounts, or even loans taken out in your name.

2. Credential Stuffing Attacks

If you reuse passwords across multiple sites, cybercriminals can test stolen credentials on various platforms. A leaked password from one site could give hackers access to your email, financial accounts, or even your workplace systems.

3. Unauthorized Account Access

A compromised password can give hackers control over your social media, emails, or cloud storage. They can lock you out, spread malware, or even impersonate you to scam others.

4. Blackmail & Data Exploitation

Personal and sensitive information can be used against you. Hackers may threaten to release private data, exploit confidential work documents, or use your account for illegal activities.

5. Dark Web Exposure

Stolen credentials are often sold on the dark web, where cybercriminals buy and trade personal data. Once your password is exposed, it could be shared among multiple threat actors, increasing your risk of repeated attacks.

How to Minimize Damage During Data Breaches

The exposure of your password is not just a minor setback; it is something that needs to be acted out fast. Cybercriminals waste no time exploiting stolen data, and if you do not act quickly, you could be their next target.

Your financial data, personal accounts, and online reputation are at greater risk if they end up on the dark web. To prevent your data from being sold and exploited multiple times on the dark web, you must use a dark web tracker.

How Does Dark Web Monitoring Work?

PureVPN's Dark Web Monitoring proactively protects your critical data by

• Continuously scanning hidden online networks for breaches.
• Detecting compromised email addresses, Social Security Numbers, and other sensitive information.
• Sending timely notifications and actionable advice to secure your digital assets.
• Offering free Dark Web Exposure Scan to see if your email has been compromised.

Discover if Your Most Critical Identifiers Have Been Exposed on the Dark Web

Receive timely alerts and actionable insights with PurePrivacy's Dark Web Monitoring.

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Enable PureVPN's Dark Web Monitoring

Here's how you can use Dark Web Monitoring and take action before it is too late:

1. Install PureVPN on your device or update your existing VPN app.
2. Visit the Members Area to get access.
3. Go to Dark Web Monitoring from the main menu.

4. Select Add Assets to Monitor.

5. Add your email address, SSN, credit card number, passport number, and phone number.  

6. Mention the code sent to your registered number, and you’re done.

7. Take the recommended steps if your data is part of a breach. 

8. You can mark the breaches as resolved.

Use Dark Web Monitoring to Get Alerts About Information Leaks

Your personal information is a target for hackers and scammers, that will ruin your online identity and finances.

Imagine losing your hard-earned money, your reputation, and your peace of mind to a cybercriminal.

With PureVPN, you can scan the Dark Web 24/7 and receive alert notifications whenever someone posts your private information (Email Address, Phone Number, Credit Card Number, SSN, Passport Number). Get instant Dark Web Alerts and the power to stop data breaches dead in their tracks.

Get Dark Web Alerts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What does it mean if Chrome found my password in a data breach?

  

  When Chrome detects your password in a data breach, it means that the password you used for a particular website or service has been found in a database of compromised credentials. You must stay alert and change your password.

• How does Apple know my password was in a data leak?

  

  Apple employs security measures that compare hashed versions of your stored passwords against databases of known data breaches and sends you an alert if your credentials are at risk.

• What assets are monitored in PureVPN dark web monitoring?

  

  PureVPN's dark web monitoring focuses on critical personal identifiers, including:
  Email addresses
  Phone numbers
  Credit card numbers
  Passport numbers
  Social Security Numbers

• How are some of my passwords found in a data breach?

  

  Passwords end up in data breaches through websites or online services, stealing your credentials, thorough phishing attempts, malicious software, accidental leakages, or using the same password on multiple sites, and one of those sites is breached.

• How much does PureVPN dark web scan cost?

  

  You can have a free scan if your email address is compromised and appears on the dark marketplaces on PureVPN’s website. To get real-time alerts and actionable steps to prevent dark web leaks, get Max Plan @ $7.07/month.

Wrap Up

Sensitive information, including your name, address, SSN, and passwords, must only belong to you! Unauthorized access to your online accounts can cause serious damage, and you must prevent it before it happens. 

If you have become a target of a password breach, act now so that your online reputation is not damaged. Remember, prevention is cheaper than a breach!