Password hacked? Use this check to find out
Check your accounts regularly for unusual activity, such as logins from unusual locations or devices you don't recognize.
Are you receiving emails from online services about changes to your account settings that you did not make yourself? This could indicate that someone has accessed your account without authorization. If you suddenly cannot log into your accounts even though you are sure you are using the correct login information, you should be alarmed. This could indicate that someone has changed your password.
You can find the Identity Leak Checker on the Hasso Plattner Institute website. Here you can enter your email address and check whether this or other sensitive data has been hacked and is available online.
What to do if you have been hacked?
Go to the website of the affected service and change your password. Use a strong password that consists of a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.
Do you use the same password for other accounts? Change the password there immediately as well to prevent the hacker from gaining access to your other accounts.
Many services offer the option to enable two-factor authentication, which requires an additional security code to log in, even if the password is known.
Tips for more security
Avoid easily guessed passwords like “123456” or “password.” Use a unique password for each account. Change your passwords regularly, at least every few months. This reduces the likelihood that a hacked password will remain undetected for a long time.
A password manager helps create strong and unique passwords for each service. You can store these passwords right here and only need one password to access the manager.
Do not open suspicious emails or links that ask you to enter your login information. Phishing attacks aim to steal your passwords. Make sure your operating systems, browsers and security software are regularly updated to close known security vulnerabilities.
