A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the massive data breach that exposed millions of logins. When I told my partner about it, and recommended he go change his passwords, he asked why, since, more than likely, his information was already out there, and it got me thinking. Usually, we are just told to change our passwords, but nobody really explains why.
It is easy to think that once a hacker has your credentials, the damage is done, and there is nothing more to do. A lot of people believe this, but in reality, changing your password immediately after a breach is one of the most important things you can do. Here is why.
The first thing to understand is that hackers don’t always act right away. In fact, the scope of a breach may not even be fully realized or reported until months later, so your passwords might still be at risk even after the breach is discovered. Hackers might wait for the right moment to exploit your credentials or sell them on the dark web, where someone else can use them. By changing your password quickly, you essentially block them from continuing their access, making it much harder for them to cause further damage.
Moreover, even though 91% of people know that reusing passwords across accounts is bad, a shocking 59% of people still reuse their passwords, even between personal and work accounts. I get it, you run out of creative ideas after a while. But here is the thing: if your password for one account gets compromised and it’s the same as another, hackers can easily move between your accounts. Think about it, if someone already has your email address or other personal information from one breach, and then gets your reused password through another, they could use that same password to access your other accounts. Changing your password right away helps stop this chain reaction before it starts.
It’s also important to remember that even if the breach is already in progress, you still have control over the situation. If hackers gain access to your primary account but haven’t yet tampered with other layers of security, like your email account or backup authentication methods, you can lock them out. By changing your password and securing other connected accounts, you can prevent them from resetting your credentials or bypassing extra security measures.
In many cases, hackers work in waves; they may sell or share the stolen data with others who can use it at a later time. So, just because your credentials are already in circulation doesn't mean they are worthless. New attackers might try their luck with your account details, so taking action immediately by changing your password reduces the risk of further unauthorized access.
Changing your password is also a simple and powerful way to regain control of your digital identity. While you can’t undo the breach itself, you can take the necessary steps to ensure that the damage doesn't escalate. It’s an act of reclaiming security, and when paired with measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) and a password manager, it strengthens your defenses against future attacks.
Finally, let’s not underestimate the peace of mind that comes with taking immediate action. The longer you wait to change your password, the more vulnerable you remain. It’s not just about preventing a hacker from continuing their actions, it’s about taking back control of your online life and minimizing the risks that come with a breach.