Reputable security company Malwarebytes is providing a free service whereby users can check their email addresses to see if they have been compromised. It seems Malwarebytes is utilizing the HaveIBeenPwned service to perform the security check.
Data breaches occur when hackers target large organizations looking to steal data associated with the organization’s user/client base and are becoming more and more frequent. Most breaches involve the theft of personal information including the all-important email addresses.
To check if your email address has been compromised visit Malwarebytes Email Security Check, type in the email address you want to check, and then click the Submit button.
Within a relatively short period of time, you’ll receive a report sent to your submitted email address (mine arrived in just a few minutes) and, hopefully, you’ll receive the all-clear:
BOTTOM LINE:
It’s a good idea to check your email address to make sure it hasn’t been compromised. It’s a pain in the butt having to change an email address but far preferable to continuing to use a compromised address.
- You also might like: Best Free Password Manager
Hasn’t FireFox been offering the same service for some time?
Hey Patrick,
Yes, but the two services are slightly different. Firefox’s is a “monitor” type service which alerts users only when a monitored account has been compromised. Malwarebytes is an on-demand service which provides instant results letting users know whether an account has been compromised or not. Similar but slightly different.
Anyway, it doesn’t hurt to be aware of more than one of these types of services, does it?
After Many grueling years of Unsatisfactory service, and outright corruption, I gave MB the old heave ho a couple years ago. They have among the web’s worst customer service, they are tied into PayPal’s rip off automatic renewal that even if you opt out your pay for the renewal. I’ll never have any more dealing with this company.