Online security isn’t just the responsibility of businesses and IT professionals—it’s also yours. Consider how many times a day you log into websites with your credentials and how often you use the same password repeatedly. Chances are, hackers are thinking about it too.
Between April 2024 and April 2025, over 184 million consumer passwords were exposed in U.S. security breaches, according to Yahoo Moneywise. Hackers stole email accounts, passwords, and login details for prominent services like Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, as well as government and financial institutions. On the dark web, 90% of “access for sale” listings involve stolen logins, and about 60% of Americans admit to reusing passwords. Even more concerning, over four million people still use “123456” as their password.
In total, nearly 15 billion compromised passwords linked to 888 different websites have been identified. That means the odds are high that at least one of your accounts has been affected.
How to Check If Your Information Has Been Compromised
You can find out quickly by using this free password check tool. Enter your email address, and the tool will let you know if it’s been involved in a breach—and even show which breach exposed your information. Check all your email addresses and encourage friends and family to do the same. Hackers often use stolen credentials to gain access to more sensitive accounts, including bank accounts, so catching them early is critical.
Steps to Strengthen Your Password Security
If you discover your credentials have been compromised—or want to take control of your online security—follow these best practices:
- Use long passwords: At least 12–16 characters (longer is better).
- Make them complex: Mix upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, or create a passphrase with 4–7 random words.
- Keep them unique: Never reuse a password across multiple accounts.
- Enable multifactor authentication (MFA): Especially on financial or sensitive accounts.
- Update regularly: Change passwords often, and don’t recycle old ones.
- Be cautious with email links: Never click on links or attachments from unknown senders.
The Bottom Line
Protecting your digital identity isn’t just about stronger passwords—it’s about staying proactive and vigilant. Cybercriminals are constantly evolving, but with the proper habits and tools, you can keep a step ahead. Begin by verifying if your information has been compromised, and then commit to using unique, secure passwords and MFA. A few small changes today can protect your personal and financial information tomorrow.
