Data breach is not uncommon and Facebook too has been a victim of cybercrime where sensitive data of millions of users belonging to more than 100 countries was exposed to cybercriminals. It was revealed that personal details for about 533 million Facebook users were compromised and displayed on a website accessible to hackers. Now, you must be eager to know that how to check if your Email and Password were leaked in the Facebook leak. Keep reading to know the process.
Although the data that was leaked did not contain any financial information or passwords, many other personal details were leaked. The information can easily be used for scamming, social engineering, marketing, and hacking purpose. Facebook was quick to fix the security loopholes but the thought of whether or not your details were leaked could be haunting.
Users have to option to find out whether their Facebook account was affected by this breach in security or not. Although there is no way to get the details of when and where your data (if compromised) was uploaded. But you do have the option to check if your phone number or email was breached in one of the breaches.
Steps to check if your Email and Password were leaked in the Facebook leak:
A website known as Have I been Pwned can be used to find out whether or not your email or phone number has been compromised. There are other websites also but this is a free-to-use website and also recommended by Facebook.
It is a very easy-to-use tool and can be used by anyone. Follow the steps below:
On your browser open haveibeenpwned.com. Even if you look for this website in Google or another Search Engine then you will be prompted the site.
You can open the browser on your choice of device
When the web page opens on your screen enter the phone number or email id that you use to sign in to your Facebook account.
Next click on ‘pwned’ just beside the space where you entered your phone number or email
Within seconds you will be prompted with the answer whether or not the email or phone number you have entered has been exposed or not. If yes, then the number of times is also mentioned.
Here is an example of how you would be replied if your data has been exposed.
Oh no — pwned!
Pwned in 4 data breaches and found no pastes (subscribe to search sensitive breaches)
‘Pastes’ here means that the attackers published your information on the hacker’s forum. So, if the details say that found no pastes, it means even though your data was published in the forum it was not used for malicious acts.
If you keep scrolling down the page, you will find the web pages through which your data was leaked. The entire details including the year in which the breach happened are also displayed.
If your details have not been exposed to a breach then here is how you would be replied.
Good news — no pwnage found!
How to Keep Your Personal Details Safe?
Here are some easy-to-follow tips that will help in safeguarding your details especially when you are using Facebook.
Change your Facebook password at regular intervals.
Do not repeat the passwords for other platforms or social media.
Follow the rules that help you in keeping a strong password. A strong password is safer and more secure
Always have two-factor authentication on important apps and services
Never click on links sent by unknown numbers, email ids, etc.
If there is a message from Facebook then you should visit the Facebook app, check your notification here, and then click on the link to open it.
Here is What Facebook Says:
Facebook says that if a user’s account has been hacked then either their email address or password would have changed.
Their birthday, name, etc. have also been changed. Friend requests would have been sent to random people who the user doesn’t know.
There would be posts updated on their wall which they never wrote.
Messages would have been sent to their friends or others that they never happened to write.
Your login would be happening from suspicious locations and similar such changes would have happened in the account.
If you think your account has been hacked then you can immediately go to https://www.facebook.com/hacked and follow the step-by-step guide to report the issue and safeguard the account. The Privacy and Safety menu on Facebook will help in keeping your account safe.
Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.
