Your Password Might Already Be Leaked – Here’s How to Stay Safe
Hello friends,
Do you know that your password may already be leaked on the internet? Yes, I’m serious. Recently, a report claimed that billions of login details, including Apple, Google, Facebook, and Instagram accounts, were exposed online. Hackers can easily access them and misuse your personal data.
According to the website Cyber News, their team has been monitoring the dark web since early 2025. In June, they discovered 30 datasets containing more than 16 billion login details—making it one of the largest reported breaches. Some experts say this figure might be exaggerated, but even if the number is smaller, it’s still a serious threat.
If your password has been leaked, hackers can:
- Access your social media and email accounts
- Steal your identity
- Misuse your financial accounts
- Sell your private data on the dark web
- Even blackmail you or your family
This is why protecting your accounts is more important than ever. Let’s understand how hackers steal passwords and what you can do to secure yourself.
4 Common Ways Hackers Steal Your Passwords
1. Phishing
This is the most common trick. Hackers send fake emails, SMS, or WhatsApp messages pretending to be from trusted sources like Facebook, Instagram, or your bank.
Example: An email offering a “blue tick” on Instagram, asking you to click a link and log in. The link looks real but is fake. Once you enter your details, hackers get your username and password.
Tip: Never click login links from messages. Always type the website’s official URL in your browser.
2. Credential Stuffing
When one website is hacked, the stolen username and password are tested on multiple other websites. For example, if your Instagram password is leaked, hackers will try the same password on Gmail, Facebook, or your bank account.
Tip: Use different passwords for different websites.
3. Password Spraying
Here, hackers use one common password on many accounts. For example, they try “India@123” or “Password123” on hundreds of email IDs. If anyone is using it, their account gets hacked instantly.
Tip: Avoid common or easy-to-guess passwords.
4. Brute Force Attack
Hackers use powerful software to try millions of password combinations every second until they crack it. The shorter and simpler your password, the faster it can be hacked.
Tip: Always use longer and complex passwords.
What Makes a Strong Password?
The strength of a password is measured by its entropy—in simple words, how random and unpredictable it is.
- Weak: Entropy less than 50 bits (e.g., Anayat123 → can be hacked in 17 minutes).
- Strong: Entropy above 75 bits.
- Very Strong: Entropy above 100 bits.
Common Weak Passwords in India:
123456, password, 12345678, india123
Avoid using names, birthdays, phone numbers, or celebrity names. Hackers can crack such passwords in seconds.
2 Easy Methods to Create an Unbreakable Password
Method 1: First Letter Technique
Take a sentence you can easily remember.
Example: “My First Car Was A 1995 Honda Civic That I Loved.”
Take the first letter of each word → mfcwa1995hctil.
This password is extremely strong. If you capitalise some letters → Mfcwa1995HCtil, it becomes almost unbreakable.
Method 2: Passphrase Technique
Choose four random unrelated words.
Example: coffee-mountains-bicycles-justice
Add capital letters, numbers, and symbols → Coffee@Mountains88Justice!
This creates a long, unique password that is both strong and easy to remember.
Extra Safety Tips
- Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Even if hackers get your password, they cannot access your account without the OTP or fingerprint verification.
- Never Reuse Passwords: Each account should have a unique password.
- Use a Password Manager: Instead of writing passwords in a notebook or notes app, let your phone’s password manager (Android/iOS) store them securely.
- Change Leaked Passwords Immediately:
You can check if your account was leaked using this free tool:
👉 haveibeenpwned.com
Just enter your email ID (not your password). The site will show if your details were part of any past breaches.
Final Words
Friends, online security is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. Hackers are becoming smarter every day, but you can stay ahead by following simple precautions.
Change all weak passwords today.
Use unique, strong passwords for each account.
Enable two-factor authentication.
Share this article with your parents, siblings, and friends. Most people use smartphones, but not everyone knows about these risks. Protect your digital life before it’s too late.
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