Recovering from a Compromised Password

Last updated: January 2023

If you suspect a password has been compromised, follow these steps to secure your accounts:

1. Identify the Breach

Check if your email appears in known data breaches using services like Have I Been Pwned.

2. Immediate Password Change

Change the compromised password immediately, along with any similar or reused passwords.

3. Enable 2FA

Add two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised.

4. Review Account Activity

Check login history and connected devices for suspicious activity.

5. Update Security Questions

Change security questions and answers as they may have been exposed.

6. Notify Contacts

If email or social media is compromised, warn contacts about potential phishing attempts.

7. Check Linked Accounts

Review accounts that use the compromised credentials for login ("Sign in with Google/Facebook").

8. Scan for Malware

Run antivirus scans to check for keyloggers or other credential-stealing malware.

9. Monitor Financial Accounts

Watch for unauthorized transactions if financial accounts were potentially affected.

10. Prevent Future Incidents

Use our password strength checker to ensure new passwords meet security standards.