How to Check if Your Email Has Been Compromised (and What to Do Next)
How to Check if Your Email Has Been Compromised (and What to Do Next)
Keeping your email secure is more important than ever. With so many websites and apps storing our details, data breaches unfortunately happen from time to time — often without us even realising. The good news? There are quick and simple tools anyone can use to check whether their email address has been exposed, and what steps to take next.
Here’s an easy guide to help you stay one step ahead.
What is a Data Breach?
A data breach happens when a website or company accidentally exposes customer information — things like email addresses, names, phone numbers, or in some cases passwords.
It doesn’t necessarily mean someone has access to your email account, but it does mean your details have been leaked somewhere they weren’t meant to be.
Think of it like a mailbox that’s been left open — someone may not have taken anything yet, but the opportunity was there.
Start by Checking Your Email on Have I Been Pwned
One of the most trusted and easiest tools to use is Have I Been Pwned (HIBP), run by security expert Troy Hunt.
✔️ How to check your email:
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Enter your email address
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Click “pwned?”
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You’ll instantly see if your address appeared in any known breaches
If your email is listed, don’t panic — it simply means your email was included in a breach from a website you used at some point.
Try Another Checker: Firefox Monitor
Another simple tool is Firefox Monitor, which uses the same breach database but offers alerts and easy-to-read summaries.
✔️ Check your email at:
You can also sign up for notifications so you get alerted if your email shows up in future breaches.
So My Email Was in a Breach… What Now?
If any tool says your email was compromised, here’s what you should do next:
1. Change your password for that website
If you used the same password anywhere else, change those too.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
This adds a second step to logging in — usually a code sent to your phone.
Even if someone knows your password, they still can’t get in.
3. Be wary of phishing emails
Hackers often use breached email lists to send fake “reset your password” or “invoice” emails.
If something looks off — delete it.
4. Use a password manager
Tools like 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane or even your browser’s password manager can generate strong, unique passwords for every site.
Check Your Passwords Too (Safely!)
HIBP also has a Password Checker that lets you see whether a password has been leaked — without sending them your actual password.
Visit: https://haveibeenpwned.com/Passwords
If a password appears in the results, it’s time to retire it forever.
Set Up Ongoing Protection
To save yourself the trouble later, turn on alerts:
✉️ Have I Been Pwned Notifications
You can sign up for email alerts so you get notified immediately if your address appears in new breaches.
???? Email Provider Alerts
Services like Microsoft 365, Gmail, and iCloud also warn you if suspicious sign-ins occur.
Always keep those notifications enabled.
Need Help or Have Questions?
At Snowtech, we help customers stay secure every day — from hosting and domain security to email protection and best-practice advice.
If you're unsure how to update passwords, turn on 2FA, or secure your hosting account, feel free to reach out. We're here to help keep everything safe and running smoothly.
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