And in light of the latest jaw-dropping leak of over 16 billion login credentials—including data from Apple, Google, Meta, Telegram, GitHub and more—millions are turning to one question: Have I been pwned?
That’s not just a question. It’s a website—Have I Been Pwned (HIBP)—and it’s now the go-to tool for anyone trying to figure out if their information has been swept up in the chaos of a breach-heavy internet.
What Is “Have I Been Pwned”?
Launched in 2013 by Australian cybersecurity expert Troy Hunt, the free tool helps you instantly check whether your email address or password has appeared in a known data breach. The database is massive—currently tracking over 13 billion accounts from high-profile hacks across industries. And with the recent password mega-leak, that number is only growing.
You simply go to haveibeenpwned.com, enter your email, and within seconds, you’ll know if you’ve been “pwned”—a hacker slang term for “owned” or compromised.
Why It Matters Right Now
In June 2025, cybersecurity researchers uncovered one of the largest breaches ever recorded, revealing a database of 16 billion usernames and passwords. The breach includes sensitive data scraped from popular services like:
- Apple
- Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp)
- Telegram
- GitHub
- Banking and crypto platforms
Many users didn’t even know they’d been compromised until they checked HIBP. Some were shocked to find their emails had been breached multiple times—and their old passwords were still floating around on the dark web.
How It Works
Have I Been Pwned uses an encrypted, privacy-first system to check breach records. Your input (email or password) is never stored or seen in full by the site. For passwords, it even uses a clever hash fragment system so you can check safely without exposing your actual credentials.
You can also sign up for alerts if your info shows up in future breaches. For companies and domain owners, there’s an option to monitor entire email domains—an essential step for cybersecurity teams.
What To Do If You’re “Pwned”
If HIBP shows your email or password has been leaked, don’t panic—but act fast:
- Change your password immediately on the affected site—and anywhere else you used the same password.
- Use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each site.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all important accounts.
- Consider switching to passkeys—the more secure, passwordless future supported by Apple and Google.
- Monitor your accounts for strange activity—especially financial and email accounts.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
With data breaches happening at an alarming rate and hackers using increasingly sophisticated techniques, your best defense is awareness. Have I Been Pwned is simple, fast, and free—and in 2025, it’s more relevant than ever.
If you haven’t already, check your email and passwords now. You might be surprised at what’s out there—and how long it’s been there.
