How to Use 'Have I Been Pwned' to Check for Data Breaches
On February 25, 2026 By newsroom Topic: Technology Buyers Guide
Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) is a free tool to see if your personal information (email or phone number) has been compromised in a data breach. Here’s how to use it effectively and protect your accounts.
1. Features of Have I Been Pwned
Check for Compromised Data
- Enter your email address or phone number on the site.
- The tool reveals:
- Breaches linked to your details.
- Affected companies, breach dates, and data types (e.g., passwords, emails).
- Breach scale, including the number of impacted accounts.
Sign Up for Notifications
- Receive alerts if your data appears in new breaches.
- Act promptly by changing passwords or enhancing account security.
Opt Out of Public Searches
- Prevent others from searching for your email on HIBP.
- Choose to remove your email completely from the HIBP database.
- Sensitive breaches (e.g., adult sites) are not publicly searchable unless you sign up for notifications.
2. Steps to Protect Your Accounts
Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
- Adds an extra security layer beyond passwords.
- Use apps like Google Authenticator or Authy.
Use a Password Manager
- Generate and save strong, unique passwords for every account.
- Tools like 1Password integrate with HIBP to flag compromised passwords.
Be Selective About Sharing Personal Info
- Limit sharing unnecessary details like birthdates unless strictly required.
- Evaluate if the site genuinely needs your information.
3. Additional Tools Using HIBP Data
- Password Managers:
- 1Password includes the “Watchtower” feature to compare passwords with the HIBP database.
- Browser Extensions:
- Okta PassProtect alerts you if a password has been breached while using Chrome.
4. Why Use 'Have I Been Pwned'?
- Awareness of breaches helps you mitigate risks like fraud or identity theft.
- Learn how much of your data is exposed online.
- Use it as a starting point for improving digital security habits.
Bottom Line: Regularly check your information on HIBP, use strong passwords, and minimize sharing sensitive data to stay secure in today’s digital world.
